The Pink Slipper Pajama Party Thread Secret Sister Reveal!

This past month one of the blogging groups I belong to on Splitcoast Stampers - The Pink Slipper Pajama Party Girls - had a Secret Sister Swap.  We finally got our packages and got to open them this past weekend.  Such fun!  My Secret Sister was Nancy and she really spoiled me with all kinds of things that I love.  And boy is she talented.  Take a look at this awesome bag that she made for me.

This photo does not really do it justice.  The colors are amazing - rich purple, red, green, and gold fabric.  There is a plastic liner in the bottom of it so I could use it for lunch if I wanted to.  I had found the bag on Pinterest from Bee in my Bonnet and had repinned it on one of my Boards.  Nancy saw it on there and decided to make one for me.  As much as I loved it, I probably would never have made it for myself so I'm really happy that this is what she chose to make for me.

That wasn't all.  She sent me a bunch of fun crafting supplies too with lots of my favorite colors in them too.

I discovered the Spare Parts embellishment brand from The Paper Studio and love all their different things.  There are flowers and lace and charms, some pretty glitter butterflies, gorgeous jewel brads, and a paper pad as well as a couple of cards.  Now that I've got my blog post done, I can start playing with all my new goodies!  Thanks again so much Nancy!  I love everything!

Fizzy Moon Bear Butterfly - PSC76

Hello my friends and Happy Wednesday.  First I want to thank all of you for the hugs and sweet thoughts about my Chancey boy.  I do appreciate all of you who took the time to post here or elsewhere.

Today is Wednesday, so it's time for another Perfect Sentiment Challenge.  Mother's Day will be upon us soon, so the theme this week is to make a card with the theme of Mother's Day with your sentiment on the front of your card.

Our wonderful sponsor this week is Beccy's Place and she is providing 3 free digis to one lucky random winner.

And here is the card that I created.  I left it a little generic since my mom is no longer living but I think this sentiment could be used for Mother's Day or for any other special lady in your life. I'm not sure why they called this image Butterfly because I couldn't find a butterfly anywhere in the image.

Materials Used:

• Image - Dovecraft - Fizzy Moon Butterfly
• Sentiment - Lili of the Valley - Mixed Circular Sentiments
• Cardstock - Stampin Up - Orchid Opulence and Mellow Moss; Xpress It Blending Card
• Designer Paper - LOTV Nit Wits - Bonnets and Bowties
• Accessories - 1 3/4" punch; Martha Stewart Lace Border punch and Leaf Branch punch; Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts; The Ribbon Girl; Glitter Flourish - Recollections
• Copic markers - B0000; B34, B41; E21, E23, E25; G21, G24; BV00, BV01; RV21, RV23; Y19, Y38; W00, W5, W7

That's it for me.  Now it's your turn.  Hop on over to the Perfect Sentiment Challenge  and see what the rest of the DT has created.  Then I hope you'll join in and post your own creation.  You may be the lucky winner this week or be chosen as one of the Perfect 3.  Good luck!

I'm submitting this card for the following challenges:
Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Favorite Color Combo (Purple + any other color. I used green & white)
Crafty Bloggers Network - Anything Goes
Fashionista Challenge - Mother's Day
Love to Scrap - Die Cuts or Punches
Mema's Crafts - Anything Goes
Victorine Stamps - Springtime Flowers or Colors
Artistic Inspirations - For the Lady
Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes

In Loving Memory of Chancey (June 2000 - April 2013)

I surely did not think I would be posting this on my blog so soon after the loss of Reggie just 3 months ago. It was was very sad day today when I had to say goodbye to my sweet Chancey boy.

Chancey and his sister Paisley were rescue kitties that I got from our office librarian who was a cat rescuer.  I actually brought Chancey home first and was trying to come up with a name for him.  One of the attorneys at my office suggested Van Chancellor who was the coach of the Houston Comets - our Women's NBA championship team.  I thought that was a good name, but shortened it to Chancey and that's what he was known as.  Paisley actually came and joined our family just a few weeks later.  They were both sweet and loveable in their own way.  When he was just a kitten one of his favorites treats was strawberries.  He would always come ask for a few bites whenever I was fixing some for myself.

Some years went by and he and his sister had a falling out and they could not be anywhere close to each other.  So Chancey ended up living in my bedroom - as you can see.  He also had access to the bathrooms and when the door was open, to my stamping room, just not out in the main part of the house.  He was happy and content there and would sleep on the bed up next to my head every night.  He was very vocal and would talk to me all the time as Siamese cats are wont to do.  He also knew when it was time to finish up the work and go to bed.  If I were working in my stamp room, he would come in along about 10 PM and meow at me to let me know it was time for bed.  Sometimes I would dawdle, but mostly, I'd just turn the light out, leave my things on the table, and go off to bed.

About a month or so ago, I noticed that his chin was kind of swollen.  It didn't seem to bother him and he didn't seem to be in pain, but things had been hectic around my house so I didn't do anything at the time, but as soon as I could I took him in to see the vet.  Unfortunately, the news wasn't good.  He had some teeth issues and ended up having surgery to remove some of them and also a biopsy on a growth in his lower jaw.  It took some time to get the results back, and when they did come back, the news was that he had a cancerous growth in his jaw which eventually would fracture his jaw causing him incredible pain and he would not be able to eat anything.  Seeing as there wasn't any really good answer, I made the decision to let him go and took him into the vet today, held him in my arms while he went to sleep, and said my goodbyes.  His little kitty soul is now off with his step-brother (Kitty Boy) and step-sister (Reggie), both of whom he grew up with.  One day we'll all be reunited where they will be able to run and play with each other without any contentions.  I know it will get easier over time, but for now, when I walk in my room, I still expect to see him snuggling on my bed or digging under the covers for a snooze where he liked to be.

Elaine - SBS challenge

This is my card for the Simply Betty Stamps Facebook Fan Page Challenge. The challenge is to use the free image that Betty gave us to make a card using Swirls & Ribbon.  Of course I had to have this one since it includes a cat!

Materials Used:

• Image - Simply Betty Stamps - Elaine
• Sentiment - Stampin Up - Touch of Kindness
• Cardstock - Stampin Up - Blushing Bride and Wile Wasabi; Xpress It Blending Card
• Designer Paper - Melissa Francis - c'est la Vie
• Accessories - Ribbon - Stampin Up -Pink Pirouette; Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts and Prima; Nestabilities - Labels Four; Circle Punches - 1 1/4" and 1 3/8"; Martha Stewart Fir Branch Punch; Pearls and heart charm from my stash; Zva Creative - pearl flourish
• Copic Markers - B0000, B91; E50, E51, E53; N0, N1, N2, N4; RV00, RV11, RV52, RV95; Y21, Y26, Y32; YR31, 0

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Simply Betty Stamps Fan Group - Elaine Image, Ribbon and Swirls
Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
Great Impressions - Pastels and/or Polka Dots
Hobby Cutz - Monochrome
Platypus Creek Digitals - Flowers and Pearls
Allsorts Challenge - A Passion for Flowers
Dilly Beans - Flowers
QKR Stampede - Punches or Dies
TotallyPaperCrafts - Monochromatic
Wags 'n Whiskers - May Flowers

Hello Lili Rose - PSC75

Hello friends!  So happy to see Wednesday.  I've been a little under the weather since Saturday, but finally feeling about back to normal tonight.  It's been very busy at my house, a lot of different things going on; some good, some not so much but today, we concentrate on the good.  I'm doing a little remodeling outside - having a patio installed.  They came yesterday and installed the patio cover and we are scheduled to have the concrete slab poured next Friday (the 26th).  I'm so excited to have this done finally.  I'll post pictures after it's all completed.

So, let's get to the Perfect Sentiment challenge for this week.   The challenge is to create a card for the occasion of your choice using the color scheme shown in the photo.  Don't forget to include a sentiment on the front of your card.  These colors are Coral-Orange + Aqua Blue + Latte.

 Here is the card that I created.  I actually used a stamp this time instead of a digital.  I have to do this more often because I have a lot of stamps that haven't seen ink yet!  

Materials Used:

• Image - Stampavie - Lili Rose
• Sentiment - Stampin Up - Touch of Kindness
• Cardstock - Stampin Up - Pool Party and Crumb Cake; Xpress It Blending Card
• Designer Paper - Stampin Up - Everyday Enchantment
• Accessories - Die Cuts - My Favorite Things - Dainty Doily; SCACD - Custom Corners; Flowers - Prima (Blue) Petaloo (Orange and Leaf branches); 1 3/4" round punch; Dew Drops - Sunflower
• Copic Markers - BG0000, BG02, BG10; E50, E51, E53; E00, E70, E71; G43; YR01, YR65, YR82 

I used the My Favorite Things layout MFTWSC90 for this card.

I did tweak it just a bit and put my dew drops at the bottom instead of at the top.

Now it's your turn.  The idea is for you to create a card and enter it in the weekly challenge.  You may be selected as the winner of our weekly prize which this week is 3 free Christmas Digis from the Perfect Sentiment Blog.  Check it out.  You could also be one of the Perfect 3.  So head on over to the Perfect Sentiment Blob and see what the rest of the Design Team has created for you and then get inky and join in the fun!

I am submitting this card for the following challenges:

Bearly-Mine - Spring Flowers
Oldie but a Goodie - Make it Girly (stash - Dew Drops)
Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes
Cupcake Craftroom - Summer Flowers
The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop - Spring is in the air
Vickie's Challenges (Lady Anne) - Anything Goes

Life Happens - Love Helps - Teapot Tuesday

Yes, I know it's way past Tuesday, but I didn't have time earlier this week to get this card done.  The recipient is the MIL (mother-in-law) of the sister of a friend that I chat with and blog with. That seemed a bit confusing.

Her sister's MIL went in to have some small lesions removed from her neck and ended up with some 2nd degree burns on her face.  If you care to participate, you can get the mailing information here.You might also send up a prayer or two on her behalf that she has a speedy recovery.

I was told by my GF that she loves blue and green and flowers.  I kept it simple for easy mailing.

The stamp (yes, I actually used a stamp this time) is from an old, retired Stampin Up stamp set called Oh, So Lovely.  I have kept all the stamp sets I've purchased with long-stemmed flowers on them.  I just love them.  The sentiment is also from SU - Vintage Vogue.  The cardstock - SU Cool Caribbean and Xpress It Blending Card.  The designer paper - SU Sycamore Street.  The bling flourish is from Zva Creative.  I used my Copic markers to color in the image - BG000; BG02, BG10, BG11; G21, G24, G43.

Ballroom Babe

Here's a card I made just for fun.  I love it when I have time just to sit and create.  This is using a Sassy Studio Design image called Ballroom Babe.

I don't have a sentiment for it yet, but I'll figure out one before I send it off to someone.

Materials Used:
Image - Sassy Studio Design - Ballroom Babe
Cardstock - Stampin Up Rose Red and Lavender Lace; Xpress It Blending Card
Designer Paper - Sent to me from my PJ Girls Secret Sister
Layout -  Mojo Monday - MOJO242
Accessories - Flower from Recollections; Bling Flourish - Zva Creative; Bling dots - stash; pinking scissors.
I colored this image some time ago with my Copic markers and didn't write down which ones I used.  It was fun.  Hope you like it.

Spring Flower Cupcake - PSC74

Hi friends and welcome to another Wednesday and time for another Perfect Sentiment Challenge.  It's been a stressful week, but hopefully now that my boss is off on vacation for 2 1/2 weeks, it should be somewhat better.

This week our theme is Sweet Treats.  The challenge is to create a card for the occasion of your choice using something sweet...cupcakes, candy, ice cream, etc.  Don't forget to include your sentiment on the front.

Our sponsor this week is Meljen's Designs.

They will award 4 free digis to one lucky random winner.

Here is my card for this week.

Here is the inside of the easel.

I love this saying, "If you are what you eat, eat something cute"!

Materials Used:

• Image - Meljen's Designs - Spring Cupcake
• Sentiment - Outside - Fred Bear Has a Birthday;  Inside - Stampin Up - Birthday Bakery
• Cardstock - Stampin Up - Wild Wasabi; Xpress It Blending Card
• Designer Paper - Dovecraft - Tea Party
• Accessories - 1 1/4"  and 1 1/2" circle punch; Stampin Up - eyelet border punch; Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts; Nestabilities - Classic Circle, Scallop Circle; Ribbon from my stash; Bowdabra Hair Tool and Bow Maker
• Copic Markers -  B0000, B00, B21, B34; C0; E27, E70, E71, G12, G24, G28; R81, R83; Y15, Y17

Now it's your turn.  Check out the Perfect Sentiment challenge blog for more inspiration from the Design Team.  I hope you'll join us this week and maybe you'll be the lucky winner or one of the Perfect 3.

I am submitting this card for the following challenges:
 Crafting By Design - Spring Flowers
Crafting for All Seasons - Floral Delight
Digistamps4joy - Anything Goes
Divas By Design - Flowers
Fab N Funky - Spring
Fresh Brewed - Sweet Treats
The Paper Shelter - Spring
Ruby's Rainbow - Happy Birthday
DieCuttinDivas - Pastels with a Die cut
LEJ Designs - Show Us Your Ribbons
Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown - Fancy Folds

Double Flowers

On Splitcoaststampers.com, there is a group of us who take part in a Monthly Challenge.  Each of us prepares a kit to send to the rest of the members and then we create a card or two or three depending on the supplies sent.  We then post on the Monthly Challenge thread so we can see what the others have created.  It's been a little while since I've had the chance to play but finally here is my card for this month.

Lazorkey (Karen) was our hostess this month.  Everything is from A-Muse Studio - paper, stamped image and ribbon.  The image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black.  The sentiment is from Stampin Up - Cute Converse.  The cardstock is Stampin Up, Bordering Blue and the Designer Paper is My Minds Eye - Playdate.

To give the flowers some depth, I used my Copic markers to give them some shading using YR61, YR65, YR04, and YR09.  Then I used my Zip black pen to color in the black stamens to give them more boldness.  The leaves are from Nestabilities and the brads from my stash.

I sure hope that I'll get to play again next month. 
 

Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend

Happy Sunday!  It's been a restful weekend. I have talked to the two contractors who will be putting up my patio cover and laying down a concrete slab to finish up the new patio.  Hopefully it will all be done by next week.  Just in time for Summer.

I was able to work on a few cards this weekend and I'll be showcasing them this week. My first card up this week is using a Sassy Studio Designs image.

I really have to figure a better way to photograph cards that a light in color.  This is really so much prettier in real life.

Materials Used:

• Image - Sassy Studio Designs - Diamond
• Sentiment - Computer generated
• Cardstock - Stampin Up Soft Sky; Xpress It Blending Card
• Designer Paper - My Minds Eye - Follow Your Heart - Be Happy
• Accessories:  Small and Large Stampin Up Oval Punches; Nestabilities - Classic Oval and Lacy Oval Dies; Marianne Designs Border Die; Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts; Hat Pin, Ribbon and Bling from my stash; Martha Stewart Leaf Branch punch.
• Stickles - Diamond
• Copic Markers  BG000, BG01, BG10, BG11; E25, E29, E31, E50, E51, E53; R01, R12, T1, YR000, YR01, YR02

I am submitting this card for the following challenges:
ATCs With Attitude - Add some Sparkle
Dare to be Sassy Thursday - Use something Wet (Stickles)
Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
Lacy Sunshine - Anything Goes
Robyn's Fetish Challenge - Anything Goes
Ribbon Girl - Flowers
Crafty Catz - Anything Goes
2 Sisters - Anything Goes

Spring Flowers - PSC73

Good morning and Happy Wednesday.  I hope your week is going well and you weren't the brunt of any April Fools' jokes.

Since today is Wednesday, that means it's time for another Perfect Sentiment challenge.  This week's challenge is to make a card with the sentiment of Sympathy/Thinking of You.  Don't forget the sentiment goes on the front of your card.

Our sponsor this week is Robyn's Fetish and she will award 5 free digis from her store.

Now on to my card for this week --

Materials Used: 

• Image - Robyn's Fetish - Spring Flowers
• Sentiment - Stampin Up - Thoughts & Prayers
• Cardstock - Stampin Up - Soft Sky and Close to Cocoa; Xpress It Blending Card
• Designer Paper - First Edition - Breeze
• Accessories - Martha Stewart Border Punch; Stampin Up Scallop Oval Punch; Prima Flower
• Copic Markers - BG0000, BG01, BG11; E31, E35, E37; G12, G24, Y35, Y38; 0; YR02, YR16, YR82; white gel pen
• Layout - My Favorite Things - MFTWSC86

Now it's your turn.  I hope that you'll join in with us this week.  Hop on over to the Perfect Sentiment Challenge Blog and see what the rest of the Design Team has created for your inspiration.  You can also find the list on the left side of my blog.

I'm submitting this card for the following challenges:

Ladybug Crafts Ink - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes
Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes
A Little Bit Crafty - Anything Goes
Lexi's Creations - Punches or Dies
The Paper Nest Dolls - Anything Goes
The Pink Elephant Challenge - 3 different papers and your favorite embellishment (flowers)
Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
Lacy Sunshine - Anything Goes
The Outlawz Monday Greeting Card - Anything Goes

Inga Bunny

Here is my other Easter card that didn't make it to my blog.  I made this one for an Easter Card Swap with the Crafter's Cafe and using a Robyn Fetish image.

Material's Used:

• Image - Robyn's Fetish - Inga Bunny
• Sentiment - Computer Generated
• Cardstock - Xpress It Blending Card
• Designer Paper - My Mind's Eye - Dolled Up
• Accessories:  Flower - hand made using Cricut Cartridge Flower Shoppe.  The center is rolled.  Ribbon from my stash; Circle punch and a Cricut mat for the sentiment
• Copic Markers - BG02, BG11; B0000; C0, C1, C2, C3; R01, R20, RV13, RV17, RV09; Y15, Y23, YG11, YG61

I'm submitting this for the following challenges:

Artistic Impressions - Easter/Spring
Crafty Bloggers - Anything Goes
Creative Creations - Easter/Spring
Paper Makeup Stamps - Use a Digi image
House of Gilli - Flowers and/or Ribbon
Kaboodle Doodles - Use 2 different pattern papers
Mema's Crafts - Anything Goes
My Grafico - Anything Goes

Bunny Ears Judy

Happy Monday after Easter.  Ugh!  It's back to work after a great 3-day weekend.  Friday was just a great day off.  Saturday I went to see Jersey Boys with some friends and then out to dinner.  Yesterday was church with my daughter and her family.  My grand daughter and son-in-law were singing a duet at their service and I wanted to be there for that.  It was her first time to sing by herself in front of a large audience.  She is in choir in high school and has performed with her choir, but this time it was just her and her dad.  They did a great job.  In the afternoon all the family and some friends gathered at my sis's house for our Easter celebration.  She had over 30 people there!  Lots of fun and food.

Well, I still have a couple of Easter cards that I made a few weeks ago that for one reason or another didn't make it to my blog so I thought I better show case them now before it was really too late.  Both cards have already been sent out to new homes.

Material's Used:

• Image - Simply Better Stamps - Bunny Ears Judy
• Sentiment - Computer Generated
• Cardstock - Xpress It Blending Card; Stampin Up Early Espresso
• Designer Paper - Summer
• Accessories:  Nestabilities Classic Oval and Lacy Oval; Leaf Flourish; 1" circle punch; Cricut Elegant Edges cartridge; Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts; Martha Stewart Leaf Branch punch; ribbon from my stash; Metallic corner from my stash.
• Copic Markers - B0000; BG01, BG53, BV11; C5, C8; E50, E51, E53; E71, E77, E79, E47; YR15, YR68, R46, White Gel Pen

I am submitting this card for the following challenges:

Artistic Inspirations - Easter/Spring
The Crafty Bloggers - Anything Goes
Creative Creations - Easter/Spring
Digi Makeover - Anything Goes
House of Gilli - Flowers and/or Ribbon
Kaboodle Doodles - 2 different pattern papers
Lexi's Creations - Punches and/or Dies
Marker POP - Anything Goes
Mema's Crafts - Anything Goes
My Grafico - Anything Goes
Sparkle N Sprinkle - Use a Digi image
Victorine Stamps - Strips and Dots