Lookie what I did !

Hi peeps!

Hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday. I really should be hard at work on the kitchen floor, but had to play a bit first.

I had so much fun last night! My friend Shirley invited me over for chicken sandwiches and to peruse the new Angel Company catalog, and to PLAY in her glorious craft room...

After we ate, and ooh'd, aah'd, and ugh'ed over the new catty, it was time to make our way down into the girl cave (my fantasy craft room!). We experimented with some awesome little goodies that will be seen at her open house next month, and then moved on to the next project. Which leads me to....

LOOKIE WHAT I DID!!!!!!!

The card above looks perfectly normal to all of you.

To me, it's a MASTERPIECE!

Because...I put down my colored pencils and let Shirley (well, actually ASKED Shirley) to teach me a little bit about Copics!

Yes, you heard right...no pencils, no mineral spirits, no blending stumps...but COPICS!

I knew, just knew that I would hate them.

Sigh........ 'not'.

Now, not only am I in a heap of trouble over the new catty, but now I find myself also needing 334 new markers.

This is an endeavor that will probably happen one marker at a time, but that's okay! I have more time than money - lol...I know what's on MY Christmas list!

The sentiment on the inside says: "I can't believe I forgot your birthday".

By the way, these adorable little babies were my trial run....attempt #1.

Note that I nearly 'blended' the little girls tummy to death!

Anyway, a ginormous thank you to Shirley for getting me outa my pencil box and showing me that I really CAN color with markers! I had so much fun last night!

Oh, one last thing....after we colored, we called our dear friend Chelsea, and gave her a 'hard time'.... she was a great sport about it, and I can only hope that she still loves us!

Chelsea, you 'da best, and I don't know how you manage to create the beautiful things you do when you work such long hours!

Have a great day - Patti J.

Iris' Challenge

A few weeks ago, a young lady named Iris started her own challenge on her blog. Iris invited me to be a part of her first design team shortly after I was the winner of her first challenge.

Well, here it is - Monday morning, and Iris has posted challenge #2. The challenge theme this week is "Summertime". Perfect theme, don't you think? Be sure to hop over and play in Iris' challenge!

I chose to use this darling Anya, from The Greeting Farm, with her Hollywood shades, and this perfect sentiment from Create with TLC.



I will enter this card here:

Creative Card Crew: Easel card

CCEE Stampers: Summer card (include flowers or floral ribbon)


Thanks so much for stopping by - have a great week!

Patti J.

One Sketch 5 Ways! (Sort of)

Hello, and happy Saturday!

Several weeks ago, I picked up my first copy of Papercrafts Magazine's "Go To Sketches". I haven't used sketches much, except in individual challenges, but after reading this magazine cover to cover, again and again, the "Go-To Girls" - Terri, Maren, Kim H., Kim K., Betsy, and Jessica have changed my mind!

I proceeded to draw up a few sketches, and I find that they simplify things in measures of oodles! One of the sketches that I drew seemed absolutely perfect for a set of digi stamps that Paulette has over at Create with TLC. This set is called "In Sympathy", and has 5 (FIVE!!!) separate images for $2.50. Amazing!!! What a nice gift a set of cards from these images would make! If you haven't been to Create with TLC, hurry over and check out her store and her wonderful freebies.

I will enter this card here:

OOh-la-la-Creations: Flourishes and Pearls

I will enter this card here:

Crafty Creations Challenges: Add shine, glitter, Stickles, etc. (Dots are frosted stickles)

I will enter this card here:

Cas-Tastic Challenges: Blue, Yellow & a Neutral

As all cards have patterned paper, I will enter this blog entry at: Just-add-ink (Just add patterned paper)

Thanks for stopping by! Hope that your weekend is peaceful and relaxing. We are still working on our kitchen and laundry room floors - ugh!

Blessings and hugs!

Patti J.

Wild About You...

I've been sort of MIA for a few days. I was working on some birthday invitations for a cutie patootie that is turning one next month!

My long-time followers will remember me making 110 birth announcements last year.

Well, this little guy will be a year old already in July!

I used this Stampin' Up set that is now retired, Wild About You. When I was looking around one day on SCS, I saw a card made with these stamps, by Amanda Mertz. I emailed Amanda, and asked if she would mind if I totally cased this card, as it was PERFECT for this young man's 1st birthday. She didn't mind at all, (aren't stampers the best people???) so shown below is the finished product! If you have some time, check out Amanda's blog - she's a Stampin' Up Demonstrator, and has some beautiful projects to share with you!!!

Here is the inside left of the card. Due to the family info, I can't show the right side, but I thought you'd enjoy seeing our little ham! He is just darling, and smiles all the time. I think his momma said that he was trying 'not' to smile in this picture.

Thanks for stopping by!


I hope that you are having a great Friday, and that you enjoy your weekend.



Ours will be spent re-grouting the floor that we paid very large dollars to have put down. Ugh...



Smiles and Blessings...

Patti J.

Ups and Downs

Hello friends!

I hope that you are all enjoying your evening. It's been a good day here. Had a workshop, and got to see some friends I had not seen in a while, Sally and Joan. We crafted, and then went to lunch, which is always fun! When we got to the LSS where the workshop was held, Sally brought me this stunning belated birthday card, and a plate of white chip cookies with Macadamia Nuts from Hawaii!!! Sally's daughter, Kim, lives in Hawaii, and I guess I reaped one of the fringe benefits - yummy!!! They are wonderful! I shared with the class, and I think it's unanimous that everyone wants Sally to know their birthdates!!! lol.... Seriously, if you have not been to Sally or Kim's blogs, you must go. These ladies are blessed with awesome talent!

This card was created for Create with TLC, using a sentiment by Paulette at Create with TLC, and the image is an Elizabeth Bell image. Coloring was done with colored pencils and Tombow markers. Background paper is from the new Basic Grey "Green at Heart" 6 x 6 paper pad. If you haven't checked out the Create with TLC blog, hurry over and do so - you will not be disappointed! Paulette's work is amazing!

I will enter this card in these challenges:

Practical Scrappers: Flowers

Going Grey with Scrap Creations: Open (Use Basic Grey Paper)

Have a great night! We've been up since before 3:30 a.m., and this girl is headed someplace to relax for a bit!

Hugs,

Patti J.

Food for thought:

Mouse Potato: The on-line, wired generation's answer to the couch potato!

Flourish...

Simplicity. Sounds 'simple', right? Ha! It's not as easy as it looks for some of us!

Seriously, I am so glad that I found my way over to Susan's Simplicity blog. Anyone who knows me, knows that clean and simple is something I struggle with!

I finished this card, and I kept physically reaching for the BLING!!! I wanted to add gemstones, or ribbon, or flowers, or birds. or butterflies, or.... you get the picture! My inner self was screaming at me to pick up my starburst pen, or something sparkly or fluffy!

In the end, I stayed true to the challenge. It was for One Layer Wednesday, and the challenge was to use a flourish. Take that, inner self!!!

The back is beginning to feel a bit better. I slept all night! We were supposed to go out of town today, but decided not to do so. Hopefully, I'll be back to pestering all of you on your blogs very soon!

Hope that you are all having a blessed Father's Day!

Hugs,

Patti J.

Need to buy....

Help! I need the retired Stampin' Up set, "Wild About You". Does anyone have it, that might be willing to sell it? I need it quickly for an upcoming little guys first birthday!!!

Thanks in advance!


NEWS FLASH - An angel from SCS just PM'd me and says she has one she will sell!!! Wahoo!

Thanks folks!

Take me away....

Wow, can't believe this week is 1/2 over!

I want to apologize for not getting to your blogs the past few days.

Sunday and Monday, I had tilers here working on kitchen and laundry room floors.

Yesterday, I finally went to see about my back and hip pain, and the doc said that I need to stand as much as possible, and that sitting is the worst thing I can do.

Well, guess what I have to do in order to post or blurf?

Yep, I have to sit!

So, this will be short today!

This card is made for Create with TLC, using another of Paulette's fun images, and one of her free sentiments.

Coloring is done with colored pencils and min. spirits.

If you have not been to this blog, stop everything and go check it out!

Paulette is a very talented lady!!!

Don't you just want to be taken away to this beach???

I will also be posting this card here: (thanks Sally McD, as I have not been able to search for challenges this week!)

Just Us Girls: Use digi

Stampin' Moments: Simply sponged

The Shabby Tea Room: Summer Fun Theme

A Spoonful of Sugar: Summer Theme

Tuesday Throwdown: Celebrate Summer

Have a wonderful day!

Patti J.

1st Wall Border Attempt

Happy Tuesday!

Hope you are all enjoying the day. It is HOT and muggy here in Missouri - ugh!!! Humidity has to be way up there, as well!

Okay, I'm pretty sure that none of my stampin' peeps are opinionated, but I need an opinion. the photo above is my 1st homemade wall border attempt. I have a wall in my kitchen that is painted a khaki color on the top, and a spicy orange/rust on the bottom. I need 'something' to divide the line where the two colors meet. I am pretty much DONE forever with wallpaper and borders, so have been trying to come up with some stamping ideas (thank heaven for stamp-a-ma-jigs!). The stamp used here is an Inkadinkado Flourish.

I'm going to try a few out on my readers today and tomorrow, so please bear with me! I've never stamped on walls before, and although the thought is exciting, it's also a bit frightening! I really need some opinions before I dive in!

(Pardon my collection of TAC stamps in the background - I forgot to crop!!!)

Thanks for your help!!!

Patti J.

Yummy, Yummy!!!

I have a totally FUN post tonight! A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to win some blog candy over at Lacy's Cards. Lacy Abrams is one of the most talented ladies I've run across. Every time I watch one of her Hero Arts video's I'm amazed again!!! Anyway, if you have not been to her blog, hurry over and become a follower - you won't be sorry!

Lucy kept referring to what she was sending me as a "little something". WOWZERS!!! Look at what came in today's mail (and to think, I nearly didn't go to the post office)! You are reading the blog of a lady that's gone to Hero Arts Heaven! (We have NO place to purchase Hero Arts without a LONG drive)

I just could not get pics today where the lights didn't shine on the plastic, but I think you get the idea! What fun! Lucy, if, by chance you are reading, thanks again! You are wonderful!

Have a great weekend everyone! Shirley and I are headed to Collinsville to the stamp show tomorrow, and my kitchen and laundry room floor is going down on Sunday and Monday, so I will more than likely be scarce for a few days! Hugs to all!!!

Patti J.

Anchor to the Soul...

The Angel Company came out with a new set this year, "Anchor to the Soul". I fell in love with the set right away. When Susan issued the Simplicity one layer Wednesday challenge yesterday, which was to create a masked background, this set came to mind immediately!

This was truly a card of 'simplicity'... I used my Nestie to create a masking shape. I sponged Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Antique Linen) for the background, using the template from the Nestie. I then stamped the TAC sentiment and image onto the background using Versafine Brown Ink. Easy Peasy. Pssst..... Don't tell Susan, but I think I'm getting used to this one layer stuff!

On the home front, we got all of the tile off the floor in the kitchen, and nearly all of the grout scraped up. H A R D W O R K!!! Yikes! However, my day got better, when I was able to go pick up my four handmade glass windows from my new friend Nancy, at Love that Glass. I think that divine intervention sent me there. I see a friendship in the making!!! She is so talented, and has a heart of gold. If you are in the market for a special Christmas or Birthday gift, please check out her work. She makes the most beautiful stained glass night lights that sit on a countertop - there is one on my wish list already!!! Please pardon the terrible picture. These doors look 100 times prettier in real life than they do on the 'big' screen!

Hope you are having an awesome Thursday - hang in there everyone - it's almost the weekend! Headed to Collinsville, Ill. to the Rubber Stamp Convention there on Sat. with my BSFF Shirley! Once there, we plan to meet and have lunch with Glitterbabe (Stef) and her friend Vicki, and maybe some other ladies from Farmington! What fun....

See you soon - Patti J.

Food for thought: Even when I have pains, I don't have to be one!

A Giggle a Day...

For my first DT assignment at Create with TLC, I had the choice of any of Paulette's wonderful digi's.
I found this darling 'giggle' sentiment in one of Paulette's Word Art sets "Grins and Giggles". I thought that it would be perfect with the adorable Freebie she had put up a few days ago! What do you think?

I took the liberty of painting some 'nails', and giving this little cutie patootie some eyelashes. How cute is this image??? The flower centers have the ultra fine Flowersoft "Citrus Crush". I think they turned out looking pretty cute too!



Check out the easel card!

Coloring is done with Prismacolor Pencils and low-odor mineral spirits. Highlights are with Sakura Pink and Green Gelly Roll Pens.

So, dear peeps, if you have not had a chance to check out the awesome digi's at Create with TLC, hop over there and see what Paulette has for you! She is quite generous with free images, and has a store full of wonderful creations!!!

I am also entering this here:

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge: Card with animal, fish, bird, bug, etc.

Stamp Something: Use a digi!

Have a great evening!

Patti J.

Food for thought:

Another church bulletin blooper: Thursday at 5 p.m., there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All ladies wishing to become Little Mothers will please meet the Minister in his study on Thursday.

(You know you smiled! As a past church secretary, I actually cringe before laughing!!!)

White Christmas

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas....

well, not really, but Giovana is!

StampTV has started a new Christmas Challenge and Giovana Smith is the hostess for the first three months. Her very first challenge was to create a white Christmas card (it could have a touch of another color).

I immediately thought of Melanie Muenchinger's 'Festive Frame' stamp set. It is stamped with Versamark Dazzle, and then heat embossed with gold. The card base has been dry embossed with the Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss folder. This is one of those classic sets where less is more! You simply cannot make an ugly card with this stamp set!

Hope you are having a wonderful Tuesday. Please send up a prayer today for DD, who had her first ever root canal this a.m. She's pretty shaky and swollen, but okay other than that. She, like her mother, has an insane fear of dentist visits!

As always, thanks so much for stopping by! I am off to visit your blogs, and see what you've been up to, and then work on the kitchen.

Hugs and lots of blessings!

Patti J.

Food for thought:

Church bulletin blooper: Tuesday at 4:00 p.m., there will be an ice cream social. Will ladies giving milk, please come early.

Exciting News!

I have some exciting news to share!

Paulette, from Create with TLC, has asked me to be on her design team for the next three months! Wahoo!!! I can't wait to get started!

If you haven't been to this site yet, you must check it out. Paulette has wonderful digi images and sentiments, and is so generous in offering free digi's! (You can go there directly using the badge on my sidebar!)

Thanks for sharing in my excitement!

I'm off to work in the kitchen. We got the old floor tiles up yesterday, and tonight we will scrape off all of the old grout. I counted three blisters this morning! lol...

Hugs!

Patti J.

Groovy!

Well friends, once again, dear daughter was the inspiration behind one of my cards.

DD stopped by the other night, and spent the night, before leaving the next morning for a visit with friends in Louisiana. When she left, she was wearing a very neon green t-shirt, which was as cute as can be! I had thought about the "Groovy" challenge at Paper Playtime for 4 full days, and didn't know what I was going to make for it. When I saw her in this cute t-shirt, with white print on the front, I knew exactly what had to be pulled out and inked up!!! PEACE ANYA!!! And here she is! Anya is almost as cute as dear daughter is!

Coloring is done with colored pencils and mineral spirits. Flowers on headband are highlighted with a bit of Glossy Accents. CS is DCWV Rock Star.

I will also enter this card here:

Ooh-la-la: use colors of the challenge blog (orchid, yellow, pink, green)

Charisma Cardz: Flowers

This card was created for the For Fun Challenge this week. The theme at For Fun is: For a man. This stamp set from Dimensions cracks me up - couldn't resist using it!

No coloring - everything is paper pieced. Sponging is done with Tim Holtz Adirondack inks.

That's all I have for tonight! I'm hoping to spend tomorrow with DH, so I will be back on Monday! Have a safe and blessed Sunday!

Patti J.

Food for thought: Only in America do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten, and buns in packages of eight!

Don't Hate Me...

Hello! Thanks for stopping by - hope you are all ready for a nice weekend.

As tomorrow is Friday, and I'm not sure what DH has on the calendar for us to do, I thought I'd post a few cards this evening!

Studio 313's challenge this week is a fun one! We were to create a card based on a Top 10 Best Selling Album. They listed several albums for us to choose from. We could use a Studio 313 image, or an image we had on hand. I chose to use one of theirs. I thought this card could actually fit in two albums: "Man, I Feel Like a Woman", by Shania Twain, or "Uptown Girl", by Billy Joel. Hope you like it!

I will also enter this card here:

Colour Create: Pink and Blue (A bonus was to use something soft - the pink ribbon is VERY soft!)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The second card is made with strips of paper, that are pieced together to resemble a hand stitched quilt. I'm not at all crazy about the card, but it fits a few challenges...

The sentiment is by Papertrey Ink.

I will enter this card here:

Crafty Creations Challenge: Black, White, and a touch of Red

All Sorts Challenge: Black, White, and one other color

Creative Inspirations: Sewing, or Faux Stitching

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

My last card is for the Simplicity 'One Layer Wednesday' Challenge.

The challenge was: Repetition (I think this will work :)

The stamps are Gina K. Designs

Have a great day everyone!

Patti J.

Food for Thought: Why is the person who invests all of your money called a 'broker'???

Too much fun!

So...I am having some glass panes made by a stained glass WIZARD from Love That Glass in a neighboring town.

Nancy is wonderful, and as I was leaving, she gave me some packing material that comes between the glass pieces, thinking I could create something with them.

Both of my cards today showcase this material on the background. One is Kraft colored and one is white colored. They were SO much fun to play with! Let me show you what I did with them!

* * * * * * * * * *

This first card uses the white background. The image is Penny Black (thanks Chris!!!), and the sentiment is Skipping Stones.

I will enter this birthday card here:

The Pink Elephant: Challenge #69 - Gotta Wear Shades (Bright, Fun Colors)

Party Time Tuesdays: Challenge #1 - Anything Goes Birthday

Iris' Challenge - Flowers

* * * * * * * * * *

The next card features the Kraft colored packing material on the background.

The bird print is from My Mind's Eye, and the sentiment is from Cornish Heritage Farms (thanks Kristie!!!). (The green mesh ribbon at the top is also from Kristie's blog candy)

I will enter this card here:

The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge: Buttons and Blooms

Hope that something you saw here today made you smile! Thanks for stopping by :)

Patti J.

The wind...

I made this simple little card for Design Team Call at Create with TLC. I know - it's unwise to made a card at 11:30 p.m., especially for a DT call! lol...There just weren't any more hours in this day! There is no coloring - the kite and stars are entirely paper pieced. The stars are highlighted with dots from a Sakura Glitter Pen.

Both the image and the sentiment are Create with TLC products (freebies, actually!). I am really impressed with the digi's that I have seen there. Paulette also has many free images and sentiments to choose from. If you haven't checked out her site yet, be sure to do so! You won't be disappointed! You can count on seeing more of Paulette's sentiments in the next few days - I think she's created a monster!

Have a great Wednesday! Hopefully, I'll be back later today - hugs!

Berries and Blog Candy!!! All in the same day!

First, I have to show you DD's berry harvest for the day.

This is the third day running that I've picked this many, and there are SO many more out there! Sadly, DD didn't get her berry plants moved to HER house before they became HUGE this spring, but happily, mom is eating many berries!

Of course, I'm due for another shower now, as it makes me SO itchy!!

Hopefully DD will get by to enjoy some of the harvest before it's too late!

* * *

Next...lookie, lookie what USPS brought me today! I am SO excited! This is blog candy that I won a week or so ago on Kristie Session's blog! If you don't know Kristie, you really should go check out her beautiful blog. She is as pretty inside as out, and so sweet!

If you enlarge the photo, maybe you can see better what's here. The picture didn't take very well - so sorry!

Below is the adorable card that Kristie made and included in the box!!! Can you say awesome???!!!

I wanted you to see a close-up of the stamp set. It's beautiful, and I've never owned any stamps from Cornish Heritage Farms, so this is just perfect!!!

DH and I had to take a big bearing and a 200 pound steel shaft to the machine shop in the city today. It was strictly business - straight up and back, but at least we got some time together!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and that your week is full of blessings, as well.

Patti J.

Food for thought: The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment...