Outlawz Alcohol Markers Challenge - Warm Winter Wishes

Yep, it's Friday!  And time for another Outlawz Alcohol Markers Challenge!  Being the last Friday of the month, the challenge theme for today is Anything Goes (with an optional Christmas Twist).  It's difficult to think of Christmas when summer is getting underway, but it is nice to get a jump start on my cards for the Season. 

When I think of Christmas, I think of joy and happiness.  We are celebrating!  Whether or not you believe in Christ, there is glow in most people during the holiday season.  This cutie from Mo's Digital Pencil is a true representation of joy!  I get all happy inside just looking at the sheer delight on her face!

 

She's colored with Copics, and I added a combo of white glitter, flocking, and Flower Soft to her hat and the trim on her jacket sleeves and hem.  The mitten paper is from the Recollections paper pack Jolly Holiday.  I adore the bright colors, and fun design (you'll be seeing more cards from me using that paper, lol).

Thank you for stopping by, and please join go check out the other DT cards at the Outlawz Alcohol Markers Challenge.  We'd love for you to play along with the challenge.  Like me, you could get a start on those Christmas cards! 

And this month, the Alcohol Markers Challenges are being sponsored by DIGISTAMPS4JOY.  One randomly selected participant will win 5 digis of their choice from the DIGISTAMPS4JOY shop here.  They have some fantastic images! The Outlawz very own Jen is one of the talented digi artists for DS4J!

How Sweet It Is!

Summer has arrived in SW Florida!  What that means is we have begun our weather pattern of 90+ degree days with afternoon/evening thunderstorms.  The daily forecasts for the week are identical.  Makes it relatively easy to plan activities.  If you plan a picnic, it needs to be at lunch, not dinnertime, or you will find yourself and your food soaked!  So, with summer and picnics on my mind, I colored up this image, an ant carrying a watermelon slice, from Melonheadz Illustrations.  It was a freebie on Nikki's blog last July, along with several other ants holding picnic items.  This is the first time I've used one of Nikki's images, and I love it!  Looking forward to coloring a few more, and making them into cards (hint for future blog posts).  For the design layout, I modified the There She Goes Sketch #213.

   

Celebrating You Today

Happy Saturday!  Hope you all are enjoying a warm, sunny weekend.  Today's card features the Whimsie Doodles image, USA Lizzie.  I just love her little cardigan sweater!  Two of my mom's friends have July 4th birthdays, so I had to play along with the Seize the Birthday Sketch Challenge #19, with little Lizzie as the "Star" (sorry, couldn't resist, lol).

Thank you for taking time out of your day to visit!

Outlawz Friday's Alcohol Markers Challenge

TGIF!!  I don't know about you, but I'm glad this week is drawing to a close.  And I'm looking forward to my "date" afternoon with my hubby.  Not sure what mischief we can get into today, but if we go into town, a shopping spree at Michaels might be included.

As it's Friday, it's time for our weekly Outlawz Friday's Alcohol Markers Challenge!  Today's theme is Wedding/Anniversary.  I chose to go with the Anniversary.  This image has been in my stash for awhile, but I hadn't colored it up until now.  The scene reminds me so much of afternoons/evenings spent walking with my hubby along the beaches here in SW Florida.  One evening we even stopped after a fancy dinner out, with me in a cocktail dress and hubby in a sports coat and tie!  We walked, carrying our shoes, and watched a gorgeous pink, teal, and orange sunset.

Anyway, back to the card...  I paired the image with one of my favorite sayings (attributed to Saint Exupery).  Because the image is so busy I kept the embellishments to a minimum. 

Please come play along with the Challenge this week.  We'd love to see your creations!  For some inspiration, you can check out the rest of the design team's cards here.  And our June 2013 sponsor Digistamps 4 Joy is offering 5 digis for one lucky challenge winner!

Have a fun weekend everyone!

P.S.  Thank you to all who sent their sympathies via comments or email.  I do appreciate it, and so does my mom.

Delightful Inspiration from the Heart June Challenge

The challenge set for this month's Delightful Inspiration from the Heart June Challenge includes three beachy images and three bonus sentiments.  Aren't these turtles adorable?!?

If you played along in the challenge last month (which I did), you will be emailed this image for FREE! :) If you missed out, you can still play along with the challenge by purchasing the image. Then you can enter the challenge and receive next month’s digi free.

Since I really enjoy FREE digi's, I had to play along!  Here is my entry for this month's challenge.  I used the Deconstructed Sketch #102 for my design layout.   

Candy Winners!

Thank you to all who left a comment and entered to win.  Welcome to new followers, and congratulations to the Blogiversary Candy winners! 

Candy #1 - Lau W

Candy #2 - Annie Rose

Candy #3 - Carla S

Once the names for each candy were drawn, I decided to throw the remaining names in one hat for a surprise candy with a Red, White, and Blue theme. 

The winner of the surprise candy is Sue D!

Thank you ladies for helping me celebrate one year of blogging!  Please email me your addresses so I can send your goodies!  And do not be surprised if you find a few "extras" in your package that were not pictured.

Whimsy And Stars Studio Freebie Challenge

Surprised to see me post on a Saturday?  Well, I couldn't resist this little freebie, "Searching", from Whimsy and Stars Studio, so I had to play along with the challenge!  Once again, I'm getting my entry in just before the deadline...seems to be the story of my life at the moment, lol.  The papers are from My Mind's Eye, The Sweetest Thing - Tangerine.  And the design layout is The Paper Players sketch #147.  I used Paper Glaze on her magnifying glass and Liquid Pearls on her bracelet, although the Liquid Pearls doesn't show very well in the photo. 

Hope you are all enjoying a great weekend!  Thank you for visiting!

Outlawz Friday's Alcohol Markers Challenge

TGIF!  Does anyone have big plans for the weekend?  Maybe grilling out for Fathers' Day?  We'll probably throw a couple of steaks on the grill after some beach or pool time.  Although there are a few interesting movies playing...hmmm...weather might determine our activity for Sunday.

Today's card is one I put together for the Outlawz Friday's Alcohol Markers Challenge.  This week's theme is School's Out/Graduation.  I cropped the Saturated Canary image, Grad Girl 2012, and used the Sweet Sunday Sketch #186 for my design layout.  The papers are from the new Doodlebug Cap and Gown 6x6 paper pad.  Please go check out the Challenge here, see what the DT has created, and join in the fun!  Would love to see more people play along!

Have a great weekend, and celebrate your dad!

One Year Blogiversary!

Can you believe it!?!  On Saturday it will be my one year Blogiversary!  What a fun time I've had sharing my cards with family and friends, and making new crafty friends along the way.  A special thank you to my regular visitors and commentators.  And a warm welcome to the new ones who follow Amy's blog. 

In honor of my special day, I have blog candy!  There are three different candies.  To be eligible to win:  you must be a follower of my blog, and you must leave a comment on this post...include in the comment ONLY ONE of the three candies you want your name in the hat for.  Time runs out on Sunday night at midnight EST.  On Monday morning, I will be tossing the names in a hat for each candy and drawing one winner from each and posting the names on my blog. 

Thank you again for making my time here in blogland a joy!

Candy #1 - includes one dozen Chromatix markers, 8x8 patterned paper pack, Sylvia Zet Wee Stamps, Adam Pescott stamps, and Saturated Canary Tilly stamp.

   

Candy #2 - includes Me and My Big Ideas chipboard flowers, K&Company 4.75x6.75 paper pad, Kraftin' Kimmie stamps (Sunnie and Leilani)

Candy #3 - Christmas Themed includes Martha Stewart 7 piece glitter and glue set, Recollections 6 piece stamp set, Lili of the Valley Three Little Angels stamp, Penny Black Jolly Xmas Kitty stamp, and Saturated Canary Fairy Wishes stamp

An Update to "Something Personal"

Tom passed away today.  Thank you for your prayers and support. 

My mother's note:

Dear Ones...this is to let you know that Tom passed away to a better, pain free place today about 20 after 12 at the hospital.  His daughter Chris, and granddaughter Karra, my daughter Theresa and her husband Greg were with me as we held his hand and waited as he went to join those who have passed before him.  He will be missed by those who loved him.  It is with great sorrow that we share this news but as you know Tom didn't want to ever be in a nursing home or to be a burden for us who were here to care for him.  In my heart of hearts I know he chose to leave us now rather than later.  The colon cancer was quite invasive and would have involved further treatments.  His granddaughters, Ashlee and Jackie were sad to have missed him before he died, but I told them he didn't want them to see him suffering...he wanted them to remember him as he was having fun with them while they grew up.  They are here now with me and I find their presence so comforting as we share our memories of all those good times. Love, Dee

Something Personal

I know this is a creative space and not a "personal" blog, but I need to share what is happening with our family at the moment.  A little background:  My mother and her husband (my stepfather...although I do not recall using those words until now) live about 5 minutes from where my husband of 5 years moved to in 2007.  All of us were rather surprised when we found out my mom's then winter home was just down the road from my then boyfriend's winter home.  Fast forward:  Greg and I retired, moved to SW Florida, and got married.  During this time my stepfather got Alzheimer's, and he and my mother moved to their winter home full time.  Fast forward to this week:  Here's an update from my mother...in her words...

Tom was admitted to the hospital Friday AM with diagnosis of intestinal blockage.  They operated this morning and he did well. That's the good news....

The bad news is that it is colon cancer which is being checked for aggressiveness.... etc... I will know more tomorrow.  He is in intensive care tonight maybe tomorrow.... He is also in soft restraints to keep him safe and to keep him from tearing out all the tubes and IV...

I am so thankful for all your prayers as it helped keep me from crying all afternoon.  I will go back to the hospital in the morning to hold his hand as it helps soothe him even though he does not know I am there.  I don't know how all the drugs will affect him as they leave his system.  They are needed now to help keep him calm. Will keep you updated as I learn more... Love, Dee

I'm sharing this with you because I want to ask for your prayers for my family, and to understand why my posting will be sporadic for awhile.

Hugs to all,

Tress

Outlawz Friday's Copic/Promarker Challenge DT New Member!

After some nudging and an invitation from two of my crafty friends, Dawn of Lily Pink Scraps, and Carla of Carla's Stamping Spot, I've become an Outlawz DT member!  I'm excited and terrified at the same time!  Both of these ladies create fabulous cards and art projects, and I'm thrilled to be working with them and the rest of the team on the Friday's Copic/Promarker Challenges.  You can check out the challenge here.  You do need to sign up at Outlawz to join the challenges, but I promise the ladies there are fun and supportive!

This week's theme is ICE CREAM!  For my card, I chose to use Simply Betty's Ice Cream Lilly.  Just look at that tower of ice cream she's licking!  Back in my younger days, I'd have ordered the same.  These days it's the baby cone for me, lol.  Since I wanted the ice cream to be the standout, I kept Lilly rather neutral with her white bikini, ultra blonde hair, and white out sunglasses.  And by keeping the sentiment to a simple "Sweet", I have plenty of options for the use of the card.

Have a fabulous weekend, and thank you for stopping by!

Feel Better Soon

In taking stock of my stash of cards, I realized I had very few Get Well cards.  Having several on hand would be nice rather than scrambling last minute to make one to cheer up a friend who is ill.  And who wouldn't feel better after seeing this little guy?  He's a From the Heart Stamps digi entitled Sick Chick.  I colored him up in yellow Copics, as I usually would for a chick, but since he's not feeling well, I added a hint of green over the top.  Poor honey, he really doesn't look very healthy, especially with his green tinge.  The design layout is Deconstruction Sketch #103.  I opted for buttons instead of a bow at the top, but I think it keeps the same vibe as the sketch.

Sweet November June Release Preview - Day Four

We've saved the "Fairest" Little Princess for the final day of the Sweet November June Release.  Miss Margriet is fair of skin with hair as black as ebony.  Remind you of anyone?

How could I not color this dear princess to resemble the beloved Snow White?  What little girl, or big girl for that matter, wouldn't like to open a card with the sentiment, "You're the fairest of them All"?  I used a printed digi frame to create a mirror upon which to place the sentiment.  I used grey chalks to give a slight ripple effect to the mirror.  Despite having many layers, the design is simple.  However, the card is bold with the addition of the rather large yellow and white checkered bow.

 

So ends our journey with the Little Princesses.  Thank you all for visiting!  Please stop by Amy's blog, A Thousand Sheets of Paper, and Nancy's blog, Creative Palette to see their amazing cards featuring Little Princess Margriet.  And if you leave a comment here and on both Amy's and Nancy's blog, you'll be entered three times in the drawing for Amy's candy!  Margriet, along with the three other Little Princesses, is now available for purchase at All That Scraps. 

Sweet November June Release Preview - Day Three

Sweet Little Princess Williamina is inviting you to a Princess Party!  She's wearing her favorite pink party dress and has the ballroom decorated with gorgeous pink and yellow flowers.  She even had the castle staff add some pearls and glitter around the room for extra sparkle.  Won't you accept her precious plea and attend her gala?

The underskirt portion of Williamina's dress is paper pieced.  A glittered trim (colored yellow with Copics) was added to the Vintage Floral border.  I also colored the top corner embellishments with Copics and layered them over the same pink paper framing Williamina.  The banner and wording were printed off the computer, hand cut, and raised with foam dots.

Please stop by Amy's blog, A Thousand Sheets of Paper, and Nancy's blog, Creative Palette to see their amazing cards featuring Little Princess Williamina.  And if you leave a comment here and on both Amy's and Nancy's blog, you'll be entered three times in the drawing for Amy's candy!    Williamina, along with the three other Little Princesses, will be available for purchase at All That Scraps Wednesday, June 5th.

See you tomorrow with the last of the Little Princesses!

Sweet November June Release Preview - Day Two

Today we meet the proper and reserved Little Princess Eleonore.  With the castle's banners flying high behind her, it's her duty to greet the guests arriving for the knights' tournament.  Will she meet her future husband today?

Since I didn't want the scene to overwhelm Elenore, I kept the castle (a digi by Kinley's Scraps) as a graphic black and white image.  The sentiment is from Create with TLC.  To give Elenore a more formal and regal look, I drew a design on the front of her skirt with a Spica glitter pen.

 

Please stop by Amy's blog, A Thousand Sheets of Paper, and Nancy's blog, Creative Palette to see their amazing cards featuring Little Princess Eleonore.  And if you leave a comment here and on both Amy's and Nancy's blog, you'll be entered three times in the drawing for Amy's candy!    Eleonore, along with the three other Little Princesses, will be available for purchase at All That Scraps Wednesday, June 5th.

See you tomorrow with another Little Princess!  

Sweet November June Release Preview - Day One

Meet Little Princess Gwendolyn!  She is the first of four little princesses by the talented Amy Young of Sweet November Stamps.  Holding her skirt up so as not to soil the hem, little Gwendolyn is daintily walking through her garden of flowers.  Will she pick one or two to take back to the castle, or will she be content to leave them in the garden for all to enjoy?

I paper pieced Gwnedolyn's dress, and added just a hint of shading with Copics.  The flower stems and frame were cut with my Silhouette.  The flowers are brads with a gold pearl added to each center.  The sun was hand cut from a printed digi paper, and the cloud/sky background is also a printed digi paper.  A puffed bird and a sentiment finished the card.

 

Please stop by Amy's blog, A Thousand Sheets of Paper, and Nancy's blog, Creative Palette to see their amazing cards featuring Little Princess Gwendolyn.  And if you leave a comment here and on both Amy's and Nancy's blog, you'll be entered three times in the drawing for Amy's candy!  Gwendolyn, along with the three other Little Princesses, will be available for purchase at All That Scraps Wednesday, June 5th.  

See you tomorrow with another Little Princess!