Happy Fourth of July!!

I hope you are all enjoying your Fourth of July...we are at a picnic, I'm sure (sorry, scheduled post!!). I love visiting my old stomping grounds in the summer!! It is always great to catch up with family members and friends. The Fourth of July always used to be my favorite holiday, especially with the fireworks and picnics. When I was younger, my family owned a campground, and there were always a million kids around on this holiday. Swimming in the pool and buying candy at the candy store were definite highlights, but I always loved that my dad would take us to see the fireworks in nearby Warren, PA. Magical! I miss those simple days. Now, all I think about is how late my kid will be up for them!! Anyway, enjoy your holiday and celebrate the birth of our glorious country!

Card Details:

Stamps: Here for the Party by DRS Designs

Paper: Brilliant Blue, Yoyo Yellow, and Real Red DSP by Stampin' Up

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Mello Yellow Blingz by Shimmerz; Quickutz stars

Copic: RV29, R00, R01, B12, B29, Y02, Y08, E21, E25

The Birthday Boy!

I wanted to get just the right angle on this picture for you to be able to see the shimmerz that I used. I swear sometimes I do acrobatics trying to take pictures!! Funny! This is my first scheduled post for while I'm away, so I hope that it works!! This is a card that I made a while ago, but I saved it for the express purpose of when Meredith and I were visiting my friends and family in New York State. This is another Cutie Pie kid from DRS Designs, and he is darling! The paper is from the Dollar Spot at Target!!

Card Details:
Stamps: Best Present Ever (Cutie Pie Kids) by DRS Designs; Riveting by Stampin' Up
Paper: Target $ Spot paper; Yoyo yellow, Real Red, and Tempting Turquoise by Stampin' Up
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Real Red by Stampin' Up
Accessories: Nesties Labels One; SU circle punches
Copic: R00, R01, E25, E57, R29, Y11, YR02, YR04, B16, B34, B37

A card and a quilt

Not a particularly enticing title, but I guess I am not the wordsmith today! It's hot here, and quite frankly, I'm a tad on the cranky side! I have a fun card to share with you all. I don't have a lot of baby sets, and I have one loose stamp from Bella that I already made shower cards with, so I had to think a little outside the box. I borrowed this image from my friend Dawn. It is a Dustin Pike for DRS Designs, and it is adorable. Why can't it be for a baby boy?

I've had three mommy friends all have babies in the last month, so we've been busy with meals, cards, etc. One of our friends, Katie, was the first. She didn't know what she was having, so I had to wait. I thought about making her present to be gender neutral, but that just wasn't going to cut it! So, I waited. Luckily, my sister was in town, and she helped immensely with this project (ok, she did most of it, but I am capable!) And, I had all of the fabric!!

The quilt is made almost entirely with 30s style fabrics, and it is mostly left overs from past projects. They are so fun...I just love them!! The blues and reds are fun together. You actually start the quilt by sewing alternating 5 1/2 inch blocks together in a 4 x 8 pattern (so, it's a rectangle), then you cut on the diagonal to make it into one large triangle and two small right triangles. Then, you sew them back together into a square, so the squares are on point. Confused? Well, it's not as difficult as it sounds.

Close up of some of the fabrics used!!

Card Details:

Stamps: Jimbo and the Gang by DRS-Designs

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Close to Cocoa, So Saffron by Stampin' Up; Printed paper by Creative Memories

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: SU oval punch; SU designer label punch; SU Rubon (chit chat); SU ribbon
Copics: E00, E13, E21, E25, E33, E31, E53, R20, G24, Y21, W2, W4, W6

"Just living is not enough..."

said the butterfly. "One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." This is a quote from Hans Christian Anderson, and it is a sentiment from DRS Designs. I love a good quote, and this of course struck my fancy because of its beautiful reference (and reverence) to butterflies.

A close up of the inside section with the quote.

And, a closeup of the Shimmerz on the small butterfly die cut from Quickutz. I think I've gone butterfly crazy in my shopping!! How could I possibly pass up this little gem? I use Royal Purple Shimmerz to give it that extra "Shazam"!

This week's Flutter By Wednesday Challenge was to use brads or eyelets in some way on your card. So, bust out those babies and get to work! Don't forget the butterflies and/or fairies in your card, and we would all love to see your creations, so link them up on Danni's blog!! Our featured team member this week is Harriet Skelly, and she has some amazing creations in her SCS gallery...visit and leave her some love! We also bid a short adieu to our team members Ashley and Heather. They are taking a short hiatus: Ashley is expecting very soon, and Heather has many family obligations. They are both such creative, wonderful stampers, but we are excited for the changes in their lives!

Finally, this card was also created for TLC221 on SCS which was to make a Tri-shutter card, and I have had so much fun creating this style of card!!

Card Details:

Stamps: sentiment by DRS Designs

Paper: Going Gray, Elegant Eggplant, and Baja Breeze by Stampin' Up; Poppyfinch by Memory Box

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Scor-Pal; SU craft knife; quilting ruler; 1 3/8 inch circle punch and scalloped circle punch by SU; Butterfly die cut by Quickutz; SU rubons; SU ribbon; eyelets; Angel Wings Shimmerz

Oh Baby!!

Isn't she just the cutest little thing? I loved her little toothy grin when I first saw her, so I knew that I needed to make a card with her. She is called Happy Hat Girl from DRS Designs, and she is part of the Cutie Pie Kids collection. They come either mounted or unmounted, whichever you prefer. I was also excited to use these fabric corner covers by Making Memories that I bought what seems like years ago, and this was the perfect time to use them! I love it when that happens. See, we can always find a use for everything, if we try hard enough!!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend! We were pretty relaxed here, but it was on the rainy side. Our outside picnic got moved inside, and our house really isn't conducive to 15 people, but oh well, we made it work. Meredith was able to play with her cousins and friends this weekend, so she was over the moon. She even went to a birthday party on Saturday at a little girl's salon. Imagine the glitter in the hair and on the nails, a princess dress, and an updo! Dress up heaven!

Card Details:
Stamps: Happy Hat Girl by DRS Designs
Paper: Pink Pirouette CS and DSP and Creamy Caramel by Stampin' Up
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: SU Ribbon; Making Memories fabric corners and "pat-a-cake" ribbon slide
Copic Markers: R00, R01, E33, R20, RV11, RV34, B34

Anniversary Mojo

Interesting mix of terms, eh? I couldn't seem to find a snappy title for this one. I colored this image, and then I just knew that I had to use it for an anniversary card for my parents. They are celebrating their 48th wedding anniversary on Wednesday! Can you believe, in the age of disposable anything, they have lasted 48 years? One little pearl of wisdom that my mother always told me was, "I love your dad, but I don't like him every day!" When you really break that down, it just means that you aren't going to get along all the time, but when the basis of the relationship is love, then I think you can plod your way through just about anything. Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad...I love you!!

This is for the Mojo Monday 87, and I actually did it on Monday...I'm on a roll! Hopefully, I can be as on top of other things (like housework!). And, I did get some awesome news today...I will be going to Copic Certification in Durham, NC at the end of June. I can hardly stand the excitement! Woohoo!!!

Happy Belated Birthday (May 14th) to Cassie Larson, and Happy Birthday (May 18th) to Michelle McDaniel, two of my awesome Flutter By Wednesday DT friends!!

And, please note my sidebar and take a look at a new challenge blog coming from Dawn and Madge called The Next Level challenge blog. You know me, I love challenges! And, they are offering some great blog candy for their launch!!

Card details:

Stamps: First Love (Cutie Pie Kids collection) by DRS Designs; sentiment from Great Greetings by Stampin' Up

Paper: Euphoria by Basic Grey; Purely Pomegranate and Lovely Lilac by Stampin' Up

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Purely Pomegranate

Accessories: Marvy Uchida scalloped oval punches; primas; brads; SU ribbon in purely pomegranate; EK Success border punch

Copics: R00, R01, Y21, E33, E57, G09, G17, B34, R29, V15, V17

Spreading Sunshine

I've been a bit MIA this past week, so I have to apologize for that! We've been busy, and I just haven't posted many cards. Too much celebration, I guess! I will try to post every day this week as I still made cards! I'm getting my Whiff of Joy summer kit today, and I am absolutely excited...can't wait to get my hands on some new rubber!! (Like I need any more than I already have!) This next week I will be showing you a few more cards made with the Cutie Pie Kids collection from DRS Designs.

I did find this nifty EK Success Border punch at Micheals. It wasn't in the usual spot...it was actually with a grouping of products that they seem to be doing in the aisle now. It was super cute, so I had to have it. Get this...I bought it without a coupon! Living on the edge, I am!! I used the Urban Prairie line from Basic Grey. Sometimes I can't even believe how well they go with the Stampin' Up cardstock. The beautiful flowers were a gift from my friend Heather in a gorgeous box she made! Thanks Heather!! Thanks for stopping by today!!

Card Details:

Stamps: Springtime Helper by DRS Designs

Paper: Urban Prairie by Basic Grey; Baja Breeze and Kiwi Kiss by Stampin' Up

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Martha Stewart ribbon; EK Success Border Punch; Prima Flowers; Micheal's brads

Copic: Y02, Y08, G24, W4, E33, Y21, B12, B14

Dapper DRS Dude

How's that for some alliteration? I couldn't really think of a clever title, so I went with this one! The image is part of the Cutie Pie Kids collection from DRS Designs, and I really love the whole line! They are completely adorable and super fun to color. I actually sat down the other night with 7 of the images and colored away. Now, I'll have to make them all into cards! Also, I had to bust out my Basic Grey Ambrosia paper that Dawn gave me for my birthday. It is gorgeous, and I paired it with Real Red and Basic Black by Stampin' Up.

I have a sweet little Meredith story for you. She is my four year old, and she loves to make cards for every occasion. Here is the conversation:

Meredith: Mom, are we going to the festival tonight?
Me: Yes, honey at the church. (our Italian festival)
Meredith: Who's the in charge guy at the church?
Me: You mean Father John?
Meredith: Yes and God. I'm going to make a card for them.
Me: That's nice honey.
Meredith: Is God a boy or a girl? Where is he?
Me: (thinking...it's 9 in the morning and I have to answer these questions). That's a tough one, but most people think God is a boy. And, God is everywhere.
Meredith: Ok, (as she looks around for him) can I make a card for him then.

How sweet is that? Never a dull moment!!

Card Details:
Stamps: Sweet Offering by DRS Designs
Paper: Ambrosia by Basic Grey; Basic Black and Real Red by Stampin' Up
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: EK Success border punch; SU oval punches; SU Rubons; Target ribbon
Copic Markers: R00, R01, E25, E43, E57, 0, G24, R29, B12, B14

To believe in fairies and butterflies...

This is the greatest gift! Who can resist two wondrous creatures such as these? Wouldn't we all love to have wings and flit about in the sunshine? Fairies and butterflies are both so ethereal and delicate...how can we resist them? Well, now the challenges for Flutter by Wednesdays can incorporate fairies as well! It just makes the possibilities endless! I incorporated Tink from the Greeting Farm and a beautiful little butterfly from DRS Designs. This was a fun card to make because I just adore coloring and especially coloring these images from The Greeting Farm.

If you want to know more about the Flutter By Wednesday Challenges, please visit our Head Flutter By Danni on her blog. And please visit the other team members' blogs to see their amazing creations for this week. There is a link in the left hand column of my blog. There are so many amazing people on the design team...it's an honor to work with them! Cassie is our featured team member this week, and Lynn Put is the awesome guest designer! This week's challenge is an open one, so the possibilities are endless!

Card details:

Stamps: Tink by The Greeting Farm; Believe Butterfly by DRS Designs

Paper: Choc. Chip and Tangerine Tango cardstock by SU; Urban Prairie by Basic Grey

Ink: Tangerine Tango by SU; Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Cuttlebug embossing folder; SU Satin ribbon; Shimmerz (Angel Wings, Celery); Labels One by nestabilities

Copics: Hair-E53, E33; Skin-R20, R00, R01; Dress-G24, YR02, YR04; Wings- YR02, E41

A card, a cold snap, and a computer snafu!!

I bet you were wondering, "where is Nancy? Why hasn't she posted?" Well, let me tell you, computers can be a pain. And, mine has been giving me fits. Hence, the baby has been in the shop for repairs. I hope she will be fixed soon, but I am at my friend's house to publish a few posts. It's quite a production to come to someone else's house to post on my own blog. Crazy!! I'm going to keep it rather concise as I don't want to overstay my welcome!

Easter card:

Stamps: Two chicks in an egg by DRS Designs (I don't have exact name of stamp...sorry!); sentiment from More Great Greetings by SU

Paper: Barely Banana, Wild Wasabi, and Pretty in Pink cardstock by SU

Ink: Wild Wasabi by SU; Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Cuttlebug Embossing folders; Raspberry liquid pearls; Shimmerz; SU circle punch; scalloped circle nestabilities; pink and light green grosgrain from SU

Copics: Y02, YR02, RV02, G24, G29, V04

Easter Challenge Card

I've wanted to get to the sketch challenge on SCS (#222) since yesterday, but I only had a few minutes today! I had already colored the image on the card, so the putting together part was a snap! The stamp is new from DRS Designs, and it is a cutie called Duck's Decoration! The paper is so yummy from my favorite company, Basic Grey!! I just absolutely adore those wonderful little 6x6 paper packs.

Tomorrow (April 3rd), DRS Designs is having their first ever blog hop, and it will start on the DRS Designs blog. I think it will be fun, so if you have a chance to pop over there, you'll see some familiar faces and some cute stamps!!

Card details:

Stamps: Duck's Decoration by DRS Designs; sentiment from More Great Greetings by Stampin' Up

Paper: Barely Banana, Purely Pomegranate, and Pink Pirouette by SU; Euphoria by Basic Grey

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Purely Pomegranate by SU

Accessories: Lilykate ribbon by Basic Grey; Faber Castell pencils; Gamsol; Prima flowers

Flutterby Wednesday #50

Danni has a great challenge every week on her blog, and it is called Flutterby Wednesday. Every week she challenges people to do something new with a butterfly. Butterflies are always so hopeful to me...the whole idea that a caterpillar can become a beautiful butterfly always mystifies me. This particular challenge is especially great because there is candy involved. Butterflies AND candy...who could resist!! It is Danni's 50th challenge, so hop or flit on over to her blog and check it out!

I had fun with this challenge because it was a sketch. I lengthened the card a bit (7x4 1/4) to accommodate my image, but that is the beauty of a sketch (it can stretch!) I made a rhyme! The image is from DRS Designs, and it is so appropriate for this time of year!

Details:

Stamps: Butterfly with eggs by DRS Designs; fluorish from Delight in Life by Stampin' Up

Paper: Purely Pomegranate and Pink Pirouette by Stampin' Up; Euphoria by Basic Grey

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: EK Success border punch; Shimmerz (Sunflower, Pixie Dust, Pink, Deep Purple); Prima flowers; Glittery brad; Cuttlebug Embossing folder (swiss dot); Copic markers (Eggs-G24, G29, RV11, RV34, BV000, Y02; Butterfly-BV11, V17)