Combined Challenges Again

Hello & Happy Thursday!

I've got another pretty cute Christmas card to share with you today!

I've combined the Ways to Use It Challenge from over at SCS and this week's Freshly Made Sketches Challenge to help build my Christmas card stash.

So here we go.....

And the Ways to Use It Challenge #412 is to use a snowman on our projects.

I really like this card with the mix of Basic Grey papers and the color combo. It's very mail friendly and my card size is 5 X 5.

Snowman Card:

Stamps: Snowman from Stampendous, Sentiment from Amuse

Ink: Memento Black, Copic Markers

Cardstock: White, Bermuda Bay, Basic Grey Jovial DSP, Recollections Glitter Paper

Accessories: SU Snowflake Punch, Corner Tag Punch, Glue Pen, Glitter, Bermuda Bay Ribbon, Rhinestones, 2 Sided Tape

Well, that's all for me today!

Need to go get my supper started then later going to pick up my glasses! I'm almost excited just to be able to see better! LOL Stinks getting older!

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!!

~Wendy

An Update & A Sketch Challenge 421

Hello & Happy Wednesday!

Yesterday, as I told you we had an appt in Lancaster at the Health Campus with an Oncologist for Ryan. Ryan is my 26 year old son whom was born with Cerebral Palsy. He was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer, Stage 1. Just keep in mind that this is very curable!

He had surgery back in Dec for the removal of the left testicle which at some unknown time came out of the scrotum. At the consult for this we were told that sometimes when this happens the testicle can become cancerous and the pathology came back as that! What a way to start the New Year with news like this! Anyways, the Urologist sent him for at CT Scan & blood work which have all come back negative. Still he advised us to see an Oncologist to see if there was any need for chemo or just closer observation.

Yesterday, Chemo, Radiation & Observation were all options that were given. Ryan has 1 week to decide want he wants to do. Some know Ryan, he is a very small young man, 74 pounds to be exact and is 5'1 feet tall. Skinny as all out with a very poor appetite. We understand the possible need for the Chemo or Radiation just incase there are any left over cells left inside but my concern is on how his tiny body would handle this with his appetite being slim to none. Then future effects sit on my mind too. 

When I was diagnosed with my Ovarian Cancer 16 yrs ago, it was felt that my cancer was all taken care of thru my ovary surgery but an oncologist felt that close observation was needed for 3-5 years. My case turned out fine. I'm hoping he goes the same route I did being that all his cancer was enclosed within the testicle. I know it's his decision but this Chemo & Radiation talk is a little worry some. I will update about this once he makes a decision.

So today over at SCS it's Sketch Challenge day. 

Here is the sketch and my card....

Sketch Challenge 421 Card:

Stamps: DRS Designs, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Cardstock: Cajun Craze, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso, Neenah White, Well Worn DSP

Accessories: SU Square Lattice EF, Word Window Punch, Twine, Button, Antique Brads, 2 Sided Tape

Hope ya like!

Well, that is all for today!

My little Dominic will be arriving shortly so I need to get moving!

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!
~Wendy

Color Challenge 411

Hello & Happy Tuesday!

Just a quick update then we are out the door to Ryan's appt in Lancaster to see an Oncologist. Hopefully nothing too bad just a consult. I will update more on this tomorrow!

Today I wanted to play along with the Color Challenge over at SCS.

The colors are: Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade & Daffodil Delight.

 

I didn't think i'd like these colors together but I do!

Color Challenge 411 Card:

Stamps: Field Flowers

Ink: Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight

Cardstock: Neenah White, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: SU Square Lattice EF, Twine from Micheal's, Recollections White Pearls, Clear Button, 2 Sided Tape

I also redid my card from the weekend. This is my Dynamic Duos #37 & Freshly Made Sketches #70 card from Saturday. This is the one that was giving me the fit with the flag tails. Thank you again Carol for coming to my rescue! The punch works like a charm!

 

Well, that is all for today!

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!
~Wendy

Valentine's Day Candy Purses

Hello again!

As you know Sunday I spent the day in my stamp room. I made several different treats for Valentine's Day which by the way will soon be upon us! I'm ready for it now with the exception I still need a few cards for the kids & hubby! Back at Christmastime I made some Candy Purses that the famous Becky Roberts made. I had a few Hershey's Nuggets left so I thought i'd try my hand at making some for Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day Candy Purses:

Stamps: Well Scripted

Ink: Basic Gray

Cardstock: Blushing Bride, Basic Gray, Love Impressions DSP

Accessories: SU Top Note Die, Scallop Heart Embosslit, Lg Heart Punch, Blushing Bride & Whisper White Ribbon, Heart Rhinestones from Amuse, Sm Cello Bags (retired), Hot Glue, Liquid Multi Mono, Dimensionals, Scotch Double Sided Tape

I think they are adorable! I might just have to go out tomorrow and get another bag of nuggets so I can make more! LOL We'll see!

Well, that's all for me today!

Thanks for stopping by and leaving such nice comments! They are much appreciated!
~Wendy

Merry Monday Week #47

Hello & Happy Monday!

Lesley from over at Always Playing With Paper, has given us another challenge this week to help us get those Christmas cards made. This week is something alittle different. We're playing Tic Tac Toe!

 I went with Blue, Clean & Simple and Designer Paper.

 I also went with Blue, Dry Embossing and Snow.

I knew I wanted to use this Bold Snowflake stamp and this small piece of designer paper. Marina Mist is one of my favorite colors so this card just sings to me! My sentiment was made with a paper flag. I made a card over the weekend that I was so frustrated with making a flag for it that I ended up cutting the tails off. Then a friend came to my rescue and gave me some tips on how to make a flag. Thanks, Carol! I think I got the hang of it now!  :)

Hope you like my card!

Feel free to stop by Lesley's blog, Always Playing With Paper to see what the other Merry Makers have created this week. Lots of inspiration!

Merry Monday Week #47 Card:

Stamps: Bold Snowflake, More Merry Messages

Ink: Marina Mist

Cardstock: Marina Mist, Neenah White, The Paper Studio DSP

Accessories: SU Snow Burst EF, Blossom Punch, Marina Mist 1/8 Taffeta Ribbon, Hot Glue, Rhinestone, Dimensional. 2 Sided Tape

Well, that's all for today!
My housework is waiting on me this morning then I hope to do more stamping!

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!
~Wendy

Valentine's Day Treats

Hello & Happy Sunday!

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!

Today I had breakfast and spent the day down in my stamp room. I worked on some Merry Monday stuff then made my way over to all the candy in my closet to make Valentine's Day treats!

I found in my stash these awesome paper doilies that I picked up at Micheal's a few years back. I added some Love Impressions DSP to the center of the doily, folded it in half and attached it to my Medium Cello Bag with my yummy Marshmellow Hearts inside. Also in my stash were these cute little clothes pins that have the heart gem on them. Something quick & easy and i'm sure everyone will love the yumminess inside! :)

Valentine's Day Treat Bags:

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Memento Black

Cardstock: White Paper Doilies, Love Impressions DSP, Red Glimmer Paper, Real Red, Neenah White

Accessories: Circle Punch, Word Window & Modern Label Punches, Small Heart Punch, Clothes Pin, Rhinestones, Dimensionals, Multi Mono Liquid, 2 Sided Tape

Well, that is all for me today!

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!

~Wendy

Combined Challenges

Hello & Happy Saturday!

Hope y'all are enjoying your weekend so far!

Life has been keeping me busy the last 2 days so there was no stamping for me. :(

Today I planned to spend the day making some cards and catching up on challenges. I sat down about 25 minutes then the hubby asked if I wanted to check out a local store and of course, I could not say no!

2 hours later I made my way back to finish up and get it posted, so here goes!

I have combined 2 challenges today to make a Sympathy card for a friend who lost her father this past week. I don't see her much anymore since I don't live in the same town anymore but I wanted to let her know we were thinking of her durning this difficult time.

The Freshly Made Sketches and the Dynamic Duos Challenges were a huge help in getting a card made today. I'm so thankful for these challenges!!

 This Mixed Bunch set seems to be calling my name here lately and I suppose that's a good thing! I had it since it came out last year and only started using it! LOL Guess you could say i'm a late bloomer! :)

I didn't do so well with the flag that's on my card that is on the original sketch from Freshly Made Sketches. I am SO not good with making them. I played with this one for about 15 mins then I said phoooey and chopped them off! 

FMS#70 & DD#37 Card:

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Sentiment from Hero Arts

Ink: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake

Cardstock: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Blossom Punch, SU Square Lattice EF, 3/4" Circle, Vanilla Brad, 2 Sided Tape

Love this card because it says what I want it to say and also because it's very mail friendly!

Well, that's all for today!

Hubby has made a pot of homemade Chicken Noodle Soup for supper tonight!

 It smells so good and it's the perfect meal for this very cold evening!

Thanks for stopping by & have a great weekend!

~Wendy

Sketch Challenge 420

Hello again!

My second post of the day! That doesn't happen too often! LOL

Here is my card for today's Sketch Challenge from over at SCS. 

Janette gave us a terrific layout this week!

Here is the sketch and my sample....

Loved today's sketch partly because I love this masculine paper! I've had this in my stash for a long time. The opposite side has a football field on it and that was the side I was going to use till I flipped it over and seen this Chevron print on it. I think Shawn will like it. No special occasion other than he's happy his Ravens are going to the Super Bowl!!

My card size is 5 1/4 X 5 1/4.

Sketch Challenge 420 Card:

Stamps: Have a Ball, Sporting

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, DSP from Moxxie

Accessories: SU Square Lattice EF, SU Circle Punches, Dimensional, 2 Sided Tape

That's all for today, folks!

My little one will be here shortly and I need to fold a load of laundry quick!

Thanks for stopping by & leaving such nice comments! They are much appreciated!

Have a great day!

~Wendy

Brother's Birthday...

Hello & Happy Wednesday!

Just wanted to share a card a made for my older brother's birthday that was on Monday! 

I don't usually see him very often and the last I did see him was Christmas Eve.

For years he was plagued with back & neck problems and from all the pain meds, surgeries and therapies, his attitude about things has really changed him in a mean way. At Christmastime, he said he was receiving acupuncture and he has been feeling so much better! Much more easy going and pleasant! Truely a good sign! Hope he continues to feel this good!

Happy Birthday, Greg!

Birthday Card:

Stamps: Class Act Stamps, Perfect Punches

Ink: Early Espresso

Cardstock: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake/Kraft, Very Vanilla, Nautical Expeditions DSP

Accessories: Lg Oval Punch, Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon, Gold Brads, Hot Glue, 2 Sided Tape

Well, I am off to work on my Sketch Challenge card for today so i'll be back later with that!

It's also Dominic day so i'm gonna try to squeeze that in before he arrives!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Wendy

Color Challenge 410

Hello & Happy Tuesday!

Time for another Color Challenge from over at SCS. Here are the colors and my card...

The dessert option today was to make a Valentine's Day card. They are also having a contest this week and next. If your card was chosen you could be a guest designer there for the month of February! I did not go with the dessert option so my card won't be chosen. My card rack is in major need of birthday cards yet so that is why I went in this direction.

Hope you like!

Color Challenge 410 Card:

Stamps: Perfect Punches

Ink: Soft Suede

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Soft Suede

Accessories: Calypso Coral Ribbon, Lg Oval Punch, Apothecary Framelits, Seeing Spots EF., SU Daisy Dies, Brad, Gold Beads, Hot Glue, 2 Sided Tape

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!

OH and stay warm! It's brutally cold here in PA!

~Wendy

Dynamic Duos Challenge #37

Hello again!

I'm on a roll today whipping out some cards for my card rack! It was looking pretty bare after the Christmas rush! I have so many cards in my favorite's folder that I saved to case at a later time and today was the day I sat down and just played. I'll share those cards later!

After I had supper over and dishes washed, I went downstairs to stamp some more. I'm surprised I got as much done as I did while watching the Presidents Inauguration all day! LOL I wanted to play along with the Dynamic Duos Challenge and knew if I didn't do it tonight it wouldn't happen. 

Here are the colors and my card:

Of course, I went with the dessert option with these colors. It was hard working in the black but I managed to with my black brads and some black sheer ribbon.

Dynamic Duos Challenge #37 Card:

Stamps: Wandering Words

Ink: Real Red

Cardstock: Real Red, Neenah White, Love Impressions DSP

Accessories: Black Brads, Ribbon from Amuse, Hot Glue. 2 Sided Tape

Another mail friendly card for Valentine's Day!

Well, that is all for tonight!

I'm yawning away so I guess that means bedtime is waiting!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Wendy

Merry Monday Week #46

Hello & Happy Monday!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Mine was quite busy!

Went Saturday to have an eye exam. My first ever! Turns out my eyes are pretty bad and they put me in bifocals! I picked out my frames so now it's a waiting game till they are ready for pick up! Shawn's vision wasn't quite as bad as mine but then he is younger than me. He picked out glasses as well. The eye doctor told me that these glasses will help me to see my projects much clearer and i'm hopin so!

Anyways, it's time for another challenge from Lesley from over at Always Playing With Paper. This week it is a theme....

I stewed on this challenge for a week or so. Then I made a trip to L&L Stamps (my fav stamp store in the world!!!) and found this little blue jay stamp on sale. I colored him with my Copics then added some Diamond Stickles to his wing & tail and also my tree branch. My card base is Neenah White cardstock with a layer of Ballet Blue cardstock and another layer of White. I embossed a piece of Garden Green cardstock with the Snow Burst EF and placed it almost to the top of my card. Next I cut out my main blue jay image with my Square Nestibilities and hot glued my loopy bow on. Added my sentiment and some clear rhinestones to the corners and called it done. I'm quite happy with it!

Merry Monday Week #46 Card:

Stamps: Blue Jay from Northwoods Rubber Stamps, Sentiment from Four the Holidays

Ink: Memento Black, Copic Markers

Cardstock: Neenah White, Ballet Blue, Garden Green

Accessories: Square Nestibilities, Snow Burst EF, Ballet Blue Grosgrain, Hot Glue, Diamond Stickles, Rhinestones, 2 Sided Tape

Hope you like!

Well, that is all for me today!

Hope you can stop by Lesley's blog, Always Playing With Paper to see what the other Merry Makers have created this week and then we hope you will find some time to play along with us! It's a great way to get those Christmas cards made without the stress!

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!
~Wendy

Seize the Birthday Week #2

Hello & Happy Thursday!

 Seize the Birthday posted their second challenge today! I'm excited to play along because it's helping me get more birthday cards on my card rack. :)

Here is the sketch...

 Yes, you'll notice it's the same sketch from last week but that's ok. We are to make this one into a masculine card.

Here is my card....

I pulled out this deer image from Northwoods Rubber Stamps because I love this image! I tried coloring it once and did not like the look of it. So, I tried inking it in a solid color and I loved it! I use this stamp more than ever now!

It was hard to get a good picture of this card since it's been gloomy & dreary here. We had sunshine this morning for about 2 hours then it disappeared again. Hope we soon get some sun!

Seize the Birthday Week #2 Card:

Stamps: Northwoods Rubber Stamps, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Woodgrain Background

Ink: Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand

Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Always Artichoke, To The Nines DSP

Accessories: Word Window Punch, Oval Nestibilities, 2 Sided Tape

What I love about this card is that it is very mail friendly! 

Nothing popped up and no embellishments added!!

Hope you like!

Well, that is all for me today!

Thank you for stopping by & have a great day!
~Wendy

Sketch Challenge 419

Hello & Happy Wednesday!

Another gloomy, dreary, rainy & very cold day here in PA.

I headed down to my stamp room this morning to craft a bit before my little Dominic comes.

I checked out the Sketch Challenge over at SCS and was ready for a challenge today! LOL

Here is the sketch and my sample....

I've had this Mixed Bunch set since it came out last year and never inked it! 

I know, shame on me! It's such a nice set!

I'm very happy with my card today but know it will cost a little more to mail out because my flower center is popped up other than that it's pretty flat.

Hope you like!

Sketch Challenge 419 Card:

Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes, Mixed Bunch

Ink: Soft Suede, Cajun Craze

Cardstock: Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Comfort Cafe DSP

Accessories: SU Square Lattice EF, Gold Beads, Blossom Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Dimensionals, 2 Sided Tape

Well, that is all for today!

Gotta grab some lunch before the little one arrives. 

Stay warm today & Thanks for stopping by!
~Wendy

Color Challenge 409

Hello & Happy Tuesday!

Today is Color Challenge Day over at SCS and these are the colors:

Rose Red, Pink Pirouette & Wisteria Wonder

Here is my card:

I decided to go with a Valentine's Day card since I haven't made any yet this year. Valentine's Day will be here in less than a month so it's time to get crack a lackin! The dessert option was to use circles and my embossing folder has circles on it along with the cute hearts!

Hope ya like!

Color Challenge 409 Card:

Stamps: Love Heart, Sentiment from Hugs & Wishes (SU retired)

Ink: Rose Red

Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Neenah White

Accessories: Sizzix Hearts Embossing Folder, MS Heart Border Punch, Lg Heart Punch, Scallop Heart Embosslit, Wisteria Wonder Ribbon, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, 2 Sided Tape

 

Well, another dreary day here in PA.

Time to get a nice warm shower and get some soup made for tonight's supper!

Our temps are dropping so the soup & sammiches for supper will warm our bellies!

Thanks for stopping by & stay warm!

~Wendy

Merry Monday Week #45

Hello & Happy Monday!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Lesley from over at Always Playing With Paper has another challenge for us this week to help us get those Christmas cards made. She gave us an easy sketch this week.

I originally had a button with a pearl on my card but after looking at it I decided to make my card more mail friendly and took the button off. I added the littlest snowflake from the Snow Swirled stamp set after I embossed it with Cherry Cobbler Embossing Powder. My tree is also embossed. I added little white pearls to my tree and snowflake for interest. I like how flat these are and was so tempted to add ribbon but decided not too. I also made a 5 pack of these for the upcoming craft show season! :)

Hope you can stop by Lesley's blog to see what the other Merry Makers have created this week. 

Lots of inspiration! :)

Merry Monday Week #45 Card:

Stamps: Snow Swirled

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Versamark

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Cherry Cobbler 12 X 12 Stack, Neenah White

Accessories: 3/4 & 1" Circle Punches, Circle Nestibilities, Liquid Multi Mono, White Pearls, Heat Gun,  2 Sided Tape

Well, that is all for me today!
Time to go get my housework done.

Thanks for stopping by & have a wonderful day!

~Wendy

Dynamic Duos #35 & Seize the Birthday #1

Hello & Happy Sunday!

Hope everyone had a great day!

I got a chance to go to my stamp table today and do some creating. It feels good to not be under any stress and just let the creative juices roll.

I checked  yesterday's Dynamic Duos Challenge and decided to play along since I had the time to do so.

Here are this week's colors:

It's a dreary, foggy day here in south central PA. so these spring colors just sang to me!

I also made this card using the sketch from over at Seize the Birthday Challenge Blog.

Here is the sketch:

DD#35 & STB#1 Card:

Stamps: Field Flowers, Petite Pairs

Ink: Certain Celery, So Saffron, Memento Black

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Neenah White, Sarah DSP (old SU)

Accessories: Labels Framelits, Ribbon, Stamp A Ma Jig, White Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, 2 Sided Tape

Well, that is all for today!

Thanks for stopping by & have a wonderful day!
~Wendy

Seize the Birthday Challenge Week #1

Hello & Happy Thursday!

I was so excited for this day to come because of Lesley's Seize the Birthday Challenge to start! I'm terrible with keeping up with having cards made for people's birthday's anymore so this challenge is a huge blessing!

Today is the first sketch and it is to make a feminine birthday card with this sketch:

After seeing the sketch I decided to pull out this old SU set called Watercolor Garden. This is probably my oldest & most loved set....and one I will never part with! I looked on my paper rack and found this pack of springy colored paper and the rest just came easily! 

Hope you like!

Seize the Birthday Card:

Stamps: Watercolor Garden, Sentiment from Amuse

Ink: Peach Parfait, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Memento Black

Cardstock: Peach Parfait, Wild Wasabi, Just Eat Cake DSP, Neenah White

Accessories: Labels Framelits, Baja Breeze Taffeta, Orange Rhinestones, Dimensionals, 2 Sided Tape

Well, that is all for today!

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!
~Wendy

Sketch Challenge 418

Hello & Happy Wednesday!

Hope everyone is having a great day so far!

This afternoon I have my little Dominic. It will be the first time in about 3 weeks and i'm excited to see him! I'm glad I had time this morning to go downstairs to stamp. I needed a card for my Aunt who took a really bad fall and is suffering from a concussion and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the fall. So, I checked out this week's Sketch Challenge and made a card.

Here is the sketch & my sample....

I used 2 images from my Image Box and some old designer paper from SU.

Sketch Challenge 418 Card:

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Retro Sayings

Ink: Garden Green, Memento Black

Cardstock: Brocade Blue, Garden Green, Pool Party DSP (old SU), Neenah White

Accessories: Ribbon, Gold Dragonfly Brad, 2 Sided Tape

Quick & easy and very mail friendly!

Well, that's all for today!

Oh before I go I will share a picture of Shawn's new truck.

He absolutely loves it!!

 

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!

~Wendy