Happy Summer -- for Coloring Without Boundaries

Hello, fellow crafters.  This weekend is Memorial Day weekend here in the U.S., and the unofficial start of summer.  What could be more perfect than featuring this happy summertime image from Lacy Sunshine artist, Heather Valentin? 

Today, I'm featuring Eleanor & Pickles Digging Clams....

I'll talk you through the process of how I colored this, starting with skin:

I used the lightest skin tones behind the glasses, so it would look different there -- E000 & E00.  

The rest of the skin tones are: E00, E21, E34 Lips - R21, R22 blush - R12

Eyes - BV000, BV02, BV04

Hair - YR24, Y21, E50

Glasses - B32, B34, B37, C00

Frog - G00, G20, G21, G24
Tummy - YG00, YG11, YG13, YG17
Eyes - W1, W3, W5, W7

Snorkel & Fins - BG000, B00, B02, B05
Water - BG000, BG11, C01
Sand - E30, E31, E34, E35, E37

Sundress, Hat, and Hair Ribbons -- BG000, BG01, BG05, V000, V01, V04

Pail - YR12, YR14, YR18.  The pail wasn't bright enough, so I added YR02
Clams - YG91, YG97, YR20, YR24
Pearl - C01, C00

Here are Eleanor & Pickles Digging Clams, made into a card  -

I cut the card base out on my Silhouette Cameo, with a file I found in the Silhouette Design Store.  The puffy sentiment and sun are from October Afternoon.  The designer paper is from Carta Bella.  The Kraft paper is from Close To My Heart.

You'll find this tutorial and other wonderful tutorials on the Coloring Without Boundaries blog.  There's  opportunities to improve your coloring with Heather Valentin's online coloring classes.  They are available for purchase in the Lacy Sunshine Store.  Check out the Lacy Sunshine Color N Craft Community on Facebook and the Coloring Without Boundaries Facebook Group for inspiration and information.

Sun Kissed -- for Sasayaki Glitter Stamps

It's time for a little mid-month inspiration over on the Sasayaki Glitter Challenge Blog.  The theme all this month is "Mother's Day".

I found an absolutely delighful digi in the Etsy Shop, and I jumped at the chance to color it up.  Here's Vase Mouse --

I colored Vase Mouse with Copic markers.  I cut the card base out on my Silhouette Cameo, using a file I found in the Silhouette Design Store.  The stitched oval is a die from Die-namics. The designer paper and silver foil tape are from Close To My Heart.  The sentiment is a puffy sticker from October Afternoon.

I had a great time coloring this image and creating this card.  I hope you can join in the fun at the Sasayaki Glitter Challenge this month!  We've got great prizes, and I'd love to see what you make!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- Flowers or Graduations
Inspiration Destination Challenge Blog -- ATG
Not Just Cards - ATG
AUD Sentiments -- ATG
PDE Linky Party -- ATG
Critters & Creatures Linky Party -- ATG

It's Christmastime, and a winner! for 3 Girl JAM

I'm posting today for 3 Girl JAM, and I'm also announcing the winner of the ribbon bundle from the "We Love our Fans" 3 Girl JAM blog hop.

First, my card for today.  I love the texture that the Jute Ribbon & String Bundle adds to projects.   It's great for building texture into a card:

This adorable image, by Lacy Sunshine,  was colored with Copic markers.  I used a Spellbinders die, cut once with some red glitter paper (by Close To My Heart), to back the image.  Papers are from October Afternoon.  The jute ribbon, from 3 Girl JAM, adds the perfect touch!

Now, for the winner of the 3 Girl JAM Ribbon bundle of your choice!  I used Random.org to choose from the 24 comments on my blog from the "We Love Our Fans" 3 Girl JAM blog hop.  The winner is>>>>

Susan Kennedy!  (Scrap a Thousand Words)

Congratulations, Susan!  Contact me with your mailing address and ribbon bundle choice and I'll get it mailed out to you.

There's a new challenge going on at 3 Girl JAM Challenge blog -- ATG with Ribbon.  I hope you can join us!  

Need some Jute Ribbon & String for yourself?  Or other wonderful 3 Girl JAM products?  Use discount code JO10 for 10% off of anything in the store!

Tis the Season for New Releases -- for Oddball Art

It's December 1, which means there are new releases in the Oddball Art's Etsy Store. I'm also part of the newly formed Oddball Art New Release design team, so you'll see creations from me every 1st and 15th of the month.  

Today, there are 8 (yes eight!) new releases found in the Etsy Store.  You'll see fantastic creations of all 8 digis over on the Oddball Art blog. 

Here's what I created for today's new release:

This first card uses image #271 -- Mr Sweets, the Fox.  It is one stamp, that I chose to separate into 2 distinct images.  I used Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Pencils on the fox image, and fuzzy cut him.  The ornaments were colored with Copic markers.  The sentiment, papers, and fibers are from Close To My Heart.  The step card was cut out using a Sizzix die.   The shape behind the fox was cut with a Spellbinders die and embossed with a Close To My Heart embossing folder.

This second card, image #274 -- Tilly and Sprite - LOVE to be Reindeer, was mostly colored with Copic markers.   For the moon, I found a circle die (Spellbinders) the same size as the circle to use for a mask.  I then covered my colored Tilly and Sprite with a piece of scrap paper so I didn't get ink on them.  Using Tim Holtz Distress inks, I sponged the inside of the circle (the moon), until I got the color and shading I wanted.

The sentiment is from Unity Stamp Company.  

The rest of the card was created using Lifestyle Crafts circle dies in various sizes.  Designer paper is from October Afternoon.  Sequins are from JilliBean Soup. 

If you need (and you know you do!) any of today's new releases (or anything else in the Oddball Art Co. Store, please use discount code DTJULIE10 for 10% off of anything!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Artistic Inspirations -- ATG with a Twist of Christmas
Crafting from the Heart -- ATG
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
D.L. Art -- Dec Linky Party 
Craft it Up and Link It up (Craftin' Desert Divas) -- Christmas
Craft Your Passion -- ATG
The Pencil Case -- 'G' is for Green 

Chocolate is Good for You -- for The Cutting Cafe

It's the 7th of the month.  That means it's time for some inspiration from the incredibly talented team at The Cutting Cafe.  This team rocks!  

This time, our assignment was to make a vending machine.  Why have gumballs when you can have chocolate?

This is the Cutting Cafe Vending Machine Cutting File:

I filled the vending machine with raspberry covered chocolates because they are my favorites.  Evidently, my dog thinks they are quite tasty, too.  I left the machine within her reach just long enough to get my camera.  When I came back, she had nibbled the lid and tipped the whole machine over.  Chocolate was scattered everywhere!  Fortunately, she knows what "leave it!" means, and she left it alone while I cleaned up the mess.

 The papers for this vending machine are from October Afternoon.  I thought it needed a nostalgic feel.  The sentiment is from Close To My Heart. The acetate is from Papertrey Ink.  The crinkle ribbon is one of the new colors from 3 Girl JAM, coming soon to the store.

Make sure to check out the other vending machines today on the Cutting Cafe blog.  You won't be disappointed!  Leave a comment while you are there, and you could win 3 sets for yourself! 

Shake an Easter Tail -- for The Cutting Cafe

Easter is just around the corner, and this time, for The Cutting Cafe, we can make "anything Easter."  Ever since I made the blind lady at my nursing home her first shaker card at Halloween, I've been making her new ones for every holiday.  She gets such enjoyment out of getting a card that she can actually do more than have someone read to her.  And, at 99, one should get all the enjoyment out of life one can find!  So, I made her this!!!

This bunny shaker card is part of the Easter Overlays and Shaker Card Files at The Cutting Cafe.

Papers on this card are from October Afternoon.  The sentiment is from My Pink Stamper.  Sequins are from Timeless Twine/Bella Creationz.  The tie dye ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.

I want to invite you back for "Julie's 3rd Blogoversary Blog Hop", March 20-22.  There will be lots of inspiration and prizes, including a chance to win 3 sets of your choice from The Cutting Cafe!  Thanks, Regina! You are always so generous! There's also a couple of freebies for everyone who participates! Yea!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Creative Card Crew -- Easter Critters

Die Cuttin' Divas -- Welcome Spring

Digi Choosday -- Anything but a square card

Choose Happy -- for The East Wind

It's Friday, and there's a new release today.  Each Monday and Friday, Unky treats us to quirky, fun images with attitude.  Today's is no exception.  Her title is "Peace".  

I colored "Peace" with Copic markers.  The designer papers behind her are from American Crafts and October Afternoon.  I used a Spellbinders label die with Kraft paper for the sentiment (by Close To My Heart).  The peacock feathers are from a Spellbinders die. the tie dye crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM. 

You can follow me on Instagram here. I'm on The East Wind Instagram team, so I am looking for new followers.  Also check out The East Wind group on Facebook here.  It is a great group -- full of fun, talent, and tons of inspiration!

You're so Cool! for QKR Stampede

It's Friday, and it's March, so it's time for a "green" challenge at QKR Stampede.  And, what better creature than a violin-playing turtle, I ask?  Since I play the violin myself, this image "spoke" to me:

This QKR Stampede image is "Turtle Violinist" (digi24137).  My husband looked at my card and said, "I'm not sure turtles have pink tongues".  Oh?  But they play the violin?  Really, I love him anyway!

I colored Turtle Violinist with Copic markers, then used a Spellbinders die to cut him out.  The papers are from October Afternoon.  The Jute Ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM. The enamel dots are from My Mind's Eye.  Solid card stock is from Close To My Heart.

Make any project, use green somewhere on it, and join our "green" challenge at QKR Stampede.  I'd love to see your creation!

My Favorite Teacher

I'm posting today for The Cutting Cafe. Our posts are to have a "Back to School" theme to them.  School started this week where I live.  Not only are there new students, but there's also new teachers.  One of my staff at the nursing home graduated from college this spring and got her first teaching job.  She started her first day in the classroom this week.  We had a send-off party for her at the nursing home last week.  I wanted a big card that all the residents and staff could sign for her.  As always, I found the perfect file at The Cutting Cafe.

I used the Teacher word shaped card cutting file.  I sized it to fit in a business sized envelope.  The base is Kraft cardstock.  The DP is October Afternoon.  The wood veneer words are from Studio Calico.  I used a white gel pen to add the dots.

If you are looking for something, chances are, you'll find it at The Cutting Cafe.  There is something for any occasion!

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Sister Act Card Challenge -- ATG

D.L. Art Thankful Thursday Linky Party -- ATG

AUD Sentiment -- Any sentiment but a birthday

Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
Sweet 7 -- Back to School
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- Back To School

Food -- You Gotta Love This Challenge! for 3 Girl JAM

Today starts a new challenge on the 3 Girl JAM Challenge blog. The theme is a fun one!  Food! (and all things food related).  Here's what I created for a little inspiration on the challenge blog today:

I found this cook's apron card cutting file in the Silhouette Online Store and thought it would work perfectly for the challenge.  I used October Afternoon papers on the card to give it a retro feel.  

The tie around the neck?  3 Girl JAM jute string, of course!

Please join the food related challenge at 3 Girl JAM -- it goes all month!

I have a giveaway going on, celebrating several events: I wrote my 500th blog post this week, I just reached 400 followers on my blog, and I have over 100 "likes" on my Facebook page, Muddy Paws & Inky Fingers.  To celebrate all those things,  I'm having a giveaway:  I have some Timeless Twine, some 3 Girl JAM ribbon, a Unity stamp set, a Close To My Heart stamp set, some Pinque Peacock embellishments, a 6x6 paper pad, and various embellishments that I need a home for. I also have two generous sponsors:  DigiStamps4Joy is giving a $10 gift certificate to the store, and The Cutting Cafe is offering any 3 sets.  WOW! If you'd like to be eligible to win, please leave a comment on any of my blog posts between now and July 6.  I'll draw a winner on my birthday.  It's my day, and you get the present!  I'd also love it if you "like" my Facebook page and follow my blog, if you don't already. 

Now, if I could only remember what those utensils are used for....

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Fairies Challenges -- Summertime

Lia Stampz -- Summer Fun

The Doodle Garden -- Summer Lovin'

Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards -- Summer Days
Crafty Catz -- ATG
Daring Cardmakers -- No Scissors Please (used my Silhouette)

Creative Craft Cottage -- Digi/Flowers
Digi Choose Day -- Anything But a Square Card
Sweet Pea Stampers -- shaped card

The Lighthouse -- for DigiStamps4Joy

It's Sunday, so time for more new releases at DigiStamps4Joy.  This week, one of the digi stamps we were given to work with was a wonderful lighthouse image, drawn by DigiStamps4Joy owner, Margy.  Margy is from S. Africa, where there is a lot of ocean, but lighthouses have significance for me, too.  My favorite place on earth is Lake Superior. My husband and I love to kayak to as many lighthouses as we can. That was the inspiration behind today's card:

The lighthouse poem is a stamp that I obtained on one of our many kayak trips to Lake Superior.  I snatch up anything lighthouse or lake-like I can find.  I even have an ore boat stamp!  The digi stamp by Margy is beautiful:

I colored the lighthouse image with Copic markers.  This is Memorial Day weekend -- a time to honor fallen Veteran's in the USA, so I went with Patriotic colors on my card.  My father, who was a veteran, recently died.  I put a flag on his grave a couple days ago to pay my respects for serving his country.

I'm giving this card to my husband, as he is my lighthouse -- my beacon.

There will be many other beautiful examples of this new release and others on the DigiStamps4Joy blog today.  Please take a look!

Supplies used:

October Afternoon designer paper

Close To My Heart card stock

Studio Calico Woodgrain Kraft

Copic markers

Northwoods Stamp Co -- sentiment stamp

DigiStamps4Joy -- lighthouse

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Delightful Challenges -- Red, White, and Blue

QKR Stampede -- Clean & Simple

Sister Act Card Challenge -- ATG

D.L. Art - May Linky Party -- ATG

Just Be Creative Crazy - May Linky Party -- ATG

Brown Sugar Challenge -- ATG

Keep It Simple Challenge -- Maritime

Simply Create Too -- Fathers Day or For a Male

Wags N Whiskers -- For the Boys
Red Carpet Studio -- Commemorate Memorial Day

Growing in Unity Blog Hop -- Too Sweet!

Looking for the Sunday Sketch & Stamp Birthday Hop?  Click HERE!
Looking for the 3 Girl JAM "All Things Spring" Blog Hop?  Click HERE!

I was sooo excited when I was asked if I wanted to hop with some other Growing In Unity girls today.  Having a whole week to play with Unity stamps is great fun.  Getting a bonus day, out of the blue, was a wonderful surprise!

Here's the hop order, in case you just stumbled across my blog:

1. Paula McClane --http://scrapaddictsattic.blogspot.com/
2. Corrie Wagner -- www.corriescrafts.blogspot.com
3. Brittany Kohl -- http://britkdesigns.blogspot.com
4. Jessica Yoder-Jones -- http://countryscrapfarmgirl.blogspot.com
5. Julie Odil -- http://muddypawsinkyfingers.blogspot.com (you're HERE!)
6. Karen Nofziger -- http://karey2005.blogspot.com (go HERE next)
7. KristyLee Deyette -- kristyleesworld.WordPress.com

We were all given this coming week's Unity Stamp of the Week to work with.  You'll see 7 different takes on the same stamp -- fun idea!

I love shaped cards, so here's what I did:

I started out making my shaped card.  It is a cutting file from The Cutting Cafe. You can find it HERE.  The papers are from October Afternoon, and are actually Christmas papers, but I liked the colors for a strawberry.  After I got the shaped card assembled, I stamped the berries image on watercolor paper.  I used my Tim Holtz distress markers and water, with a paint brush, and painted the berries.  I stamped the sentiment directly on the DP.  A little embellishing with 3 Girl JAM ribbon and some bling from Close To My Heart, and my card was complete.

Before I send you off hopping, I want to offer you a little blog candy.  I am a Unity Stamp of the Week member, so I will get 2 of these stamp sets.  If you would like one for yourself, please follow my blog.  In your comments, tell my that you would like the set, and I'll include you in the drawing.  I'll announce the winner next Friday at Friends With Flair.

Now off you go to the fabulously talented Karen's blog.  You'll love what she did with this set!

It's another cold Friday, and it's Friends With FLAIR!

I just love Fridays! Hurray for all the inspiration I find on Unity's Friends with Flair!  I so enjoy visiting all the blogs of the link-up party to see the fantastic creations for the week.  Love IT!

I've got two very different creations to share with you this week.  This first one, I made a few weeks ago, but haven't posted yet.  I have only one sibling.  My brother is 2 1/2 years older than me, so I can tease him about his age.  I blatantly cased this card from a FWF regular, Cynthia.  Here's my version of it:

My brother found it humorous, so I'm glad of that!  It's tough to make male birthday cards, so I'm going to remember this for the future!  This is the Unity "Ah Crap" Stamp set. DP is October Afternoon. 

And, I needed to make a sympathy card this week.  The owner of the company my husband works for lost his father (the founder of the company).  He died at 98, so he lived a great life, but it's still a loss to the family at any age.  The man who died loved old cars, old planes, old trains -- things like that.  Here's what I created:

I thought these designer papers by Carta Bella would be great for this particular family.  This uses the Unity Everything Wonderful stamp set.

It looks like Unity has a Super sale for Superbowl weekend.  I'm not a football fan, so I won't be watching the game.  I might, however, be tempted by a Unity super sale! Enjoy your weekend.  I hope it's super -- whatever you do!

Get Inky! Blog Hop -- Hello and Farewell

As a Get Inky! alumni, I've been invited back to hop with the current team.  New members are being introduced today while we former members are saying our farewells.  What a great idea, and I think Thia for not only this chance to hop today, but also the chance to serve on her design team last term.  I adore any chance I have to play with stamps, and she has some fun ones!

Here's the hop line-up, in case you just happened across my blog and you'd like to start at the beginning:

Blog Hop Line-Up

1. http://getinkychallenge.blogspot.com
2. Ann  -  http://annmakes.blogspot.com
3. Beth ~ http://thecraftyscrapyard.blogspot.com
4. Crystal-http://paperribbonandlipstick.blogspot.com
5. Jamie- http://capture-your-memories.weebly.com
6. Jessica- http://www.kissinkrafts.blogspot.com/
7. Judy - http://insearchofmycreativeside.blogspot.ca
8. Julie - http://muddypawsinkyfingers.blogspot.com
9. Kathy - http://upinthenightwithkat.blogspot.com
10. La-Vie - http://www.cestla-viedesigns.blogspot.com
11. Lyne - http://lynnseverydayideas.blogspot.com
12. Susan B. ~ http://susanascorner.blogspot.com
13. Susan R - http://susanrenshaw0404.blogspot.com
14. Tonya- http://scrappingfunwithtonya.blogspot.com
15. Thia- http://bluemooncreation.blogspot.com

Now, for my project...

When I served on the Get Inky! Stamps design team, the stamp set I used the most was the Buzzing Bees set.  So, it seemed only right to reach for it again for this hop.

I used a cutting file from The Cutting Cafe for the beehive shaped card. I used paper from October Afternoon.  The bees and the sentiment are both from the Get Inky! Buzzing Bees stamp set and are embossed in white. Close To My Heart Saddle ink was used on the edges of the 2 layers of beehive.  And some 3 Girl JAM crinkle ribbon in Aqua Splash from the Carribean Splash Bundle finishes off the card.

 Now for the fun part... Leave a comment on each blog along the way and you'll be entered to win:
* one of three one-year Inky Moonbeam memberships
* one Crafty Card Gallery app donated from Jennifer Restivo
To see what the club is all about, visit www.bluemooncreation.net

Off you go to the uber-talented Kathy's blog.  I know she's going to WOW you with her creation!  Have fun on the hop, hop, hop!

A Fun Friday, For Sure!

Hello, blog friends.  I'm having two great Fridays in a row.  Last Friday, my husband's birthday, we were celebrating in a small town on Lake Superior.  Today, I'm leaving shortly for a girl's weekend in the woods in Northern Wisconsin.  My two BFF's and I have rented a house, signed our souls away so we can bring our dogs, and we're spending the weekend with just the 3 of us and our 4-legged friends.  If the dogs do anything to the house, we may just as well buy the property for the size of the damage deposit we've put down!

Time has been short this week, but I did manage one card with a Unity sentiment that I'm going to share with Friends With Flair.

I found this adorable witch at the Silhouette Online Store here.  As soon as I saw her, I knew what sentiment matched her perfectly.  And, it's a Unity one, of course!!

 

 

I used October Afternoon Witch Hazel 8x8 paper on the background of the card, a spider web embossing folder to emboss the oval, cut out with a Spellbinders die.  The sentiment is part of a Unity Itty Bitty stamp called "You Witch!" The ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.  Both ribbons are from the Harvest Bundle.

I will not have internet access again this weekend.  Once again, I apologize for not visiting your blogs.  Next week, I'll pay you a visit, I promise!  I miss all the inspiration when I don't!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

 



It's Pillow Boxes -- for The Cutting Cafe

This week at The Cutting Café, we're making pillow boxes - any theme will do.  Since we're getting closer and closer to Halloween, I went with a "spooky" theme. These pillow boxes that Regina has designed hold lots of goodies and go together very quickly! If you need a quick gift, these are perfect! The pillow box I used is part of the Halloween Pillow Box set, found here.

 

 

I originally filled this with candy, but then changed my mind because I love how this looks with the double sided paper showing through.  It also shows the spider off better.  This paper is from October Afternoon (Witch Hazel 12x12 Collection).  The spider was laying on my craft desk from another project and dangled perfectly on the witch hat.  I believe it is from the Silhouette Online Store, but The Cutting Café has similar spider here, in the Halloween and Fall Basic Shapes Set.  The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.

There will be a great variety of pillow boxes shown from the other design team members this week.  Make sure and visit the Cutting Cafe blog Thursday to see the whole collection.  Leave a comment for a chance to win any 3 sets of your choice from The Cutting Café store. Wow!

Thanks for stopping by today! I always love it when you visit!

Red, White and Beautiful -- a Tribute to Molly

I'm hopping today with 3 Girl JAM. You should have arrived from Kendra's blog. We're celebrating a special birthday of Julie, the owner's, sister.  And, we're celebrating some fantastic new red, white, and blue ribbon. For me, though, this post is going to deviate from the birthday theme.  It is my chance to share my news and celebrate a special life well lived.

Those of you who follow my blog regularly and who hop with me each week with Friends With Flair may remember my post from last week.  I was heading across the state with my 3 dogs to stay with my BFF.  Well, we made the trip, but the day we got there, my 12 1/2 year old Golden Retriever, Molly, got ill.  She got sicker and sicker as the day and night went on.  By the next morning, I cut our visit short and returned home, knowing her end was near.  I wanted my husband to have his opportunity to say good by to our Golden girl.  She died last Thursday, being held and told by both of us that we loved her very much.  I hope when my time comes, I am as lucky to die in the arms of a loved one, with a loving voice in my ear.

In honor of her, I got out one of my favorite Unity/Phyllis Harris stamps, and started the therapeutic process of creating something in her memory.  Here is my "Molly Art". 

Molly was a very dark colored Golden.  She was sometimes mistaken for an Irish Setter by people who didn't know their breeds real well.  I worked hard on this to get her color just right. She had just a touch of gray around her eyes and under her chin so I tried to get that in, too. And she was my special friend, so that's the sentiment I used.  The girl is no one in particular.  Molly loved people.  It wouldn't have mattered to her who this girl was -- Molly would have loved her.  Molly wagged her tail at everyone -- even cars driving by.  She absolutely loved people and attention.  One of the things my husband is missing the most is Molly's kisses.  She gave the gentlest kisses in the world. That's the reason I chose this particular image to stamp.  Molly and her gentle kisses.  Yeah.  We both miss them.

I used October Afternoon papers on this (Hometown and Fly a Kite) and made it 5x7 so I could frame it.  The stamp is Unity/Phyllis Harris "First Love".  The ribbon is, of course 3 Girl JAM, and it's the newest, prettiest, gotta have ribbon -- the Red, White, and Blue bundle.  Here's a close up of the ribbon flower I made. There is a sale going on to launch this new ribbon bundle, so make sure you check out the store this weekend!

Isn't that ribbon beautiful? I love the streaking in the white.  So fun!  The chipboard star is from UmWow Studios.  My friend, DeeDee has many innovative products you need to check out at her store. I used a Spellbinder label die and the heart bling is from my stash. I used a We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper, too.

I rarely remember to list the Copic markers I used on this, but this time I did. Here they are:  The dog was colored with: E99, E39, E18, and YR23.  The bib overalls:  B93, B95.  Shirt -- R24, R27.  Shoes -- R27, R29, C1.  Skin -- E11, E00, E000, R20.  Hair -- C3, C5, C9.

I have some pictures and a few memories of Molly to share, but I realize that not all of you may want to hang with me for that long, so I'm going to give you the hop order here, and send you on your way if you want to hop along.  If you want to stick with me and see my pics, I'd love to share a few memories with you.

Here's the hop order:
Julie- http://3girljam.blogspot.com/
Jessica B - http://jessicascraftshaque.blogspot.com
Kendra - http://luv2scrapnmakecards.blogspot.com/
Julie O - http://muddypawsinkyfingers.blogspot.com -- you're here
Rebecca- http://bloomingpink.blogspot.com/ -- go here next!
Nicole~ http://teachdanz.blogspot.com
Mackenzie~ http://kraftingwithkenzie.blogspot.com/
Carri~ http://www.doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/
Scrappin Madge~ http://www.thescrappinlounge.com/
Cheri- http://djssundries.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth- http://www.217creations.com/
Abby- http://scrappin-abby.blogspot.com/
Jessica~ http://chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com
3GJ Challenge- http://3girljamchallenge.blogspot.com/

Molly loved to play ball.  She was obsessed with it.  The last day that we were at Sheri's, she wasn't feeling well, wanted to play ball, but was having difficulty.  She collected everyone's tennis balls and laid on them.  If she couldn't play catch, she didn't want anyone else to, either.  Here's a couple pictures taken of her that afternoon.

Molly's vet said her kidneys shut down on her.  We had that happen to the first Golden we had - years ago - too.  It is hard to have her gone, but she lived an incredible life.  She was healthy, happy, an athlete.  She was full of love, full of energy, never lacking for attention.  She  was slightly quirky, somewhat timid, always, always loving.  I miss her everyday.

I will leave you with a couple of my favorite pictures of my silly Molly. Here she is, resting on her pillow.  She could be a real lounge lizard, especially in her later years.

And, finally, a picture of the whole family, taken last Fall, shortly after Sophie came to live with us.  Sammy is on the left, Sophie in the middle, and Molly St. Valentine is on the right.  That's Shaun with all 3 of them.  He loved walking them together.

Thank you  for allowing the chance to share a few precious memories and to let my blogging friends know of my loss.  A big thank you to Julie K for her understanding, allowing me to deviate from the birthday theme today to pay my tribute to Molly.

I'm hosting a challenge this week at Crop Chocolate contest blog, Cocoa Creations.  The theme, in honor of Flag Day, is Red, White, and Blue.  Make a project of any sort using at least 2 of the 3 colors and link up with us.  You can win a bag of scrappy goodness (USA) or a gift certificate to an online retailer of your choice (Canada) for your creation. I will be submitting this project in the challenge.

Now, hop on off to Rebecca's blog and see what artistic goodness she has to inspire you with today.

I'm entering this in the following challenges:

Oozak's Challenge Blog -- Blues, Stars, and Stripes
Sister Act Card Challenge blog -- anything goes
D. L. Art Thankful Thursday Linky Party -- anything goes
Marker Pop -- Challenge #24, Loving You
CMC Copic Challenge Group -- Brunettes (Molly was a gorgeous brunette)
AUD Sentiments Challenge Blog -- Anything Goes

Time for a New Challenge and of course, Friends With Flair!

Happy Friday, everyone!  After a long, long, long winter here in NW Wisconsin, temperatures are predicted to make it into the 60's for the first time since October over the weekend. 

 I CAN'T W-A-I-T!!!

 

3 Girl Jam's newest challenge starts today and runs through May 9th.  It's a particularly fun one because it's sponsored by both 3 Girl Jam AND Trendy Twine.  So, I used both 3 Girl Jam ribbon and Trendy Twine on this first card. 

 

 

 

I used ribbon from the Spooky bundle in the 3 Girl Jam Store and Trendy Twine on the candles and on the punched paper star. I used the Unity Itty Bitty stamp set, "Candle, Stars & Birthday Wishes", and October Afternoon Cake Walk paper.  I colored some of the candles using Close to My Heart re-inkers and a water brush. There are some fussy cut stars on the twine candles.

 

I'll give you a close up of the candles so you can see the twine a little better...

 

 

I used a glitter pen on the candle wicks and the one star I didn't fussy cut.  Here's a close up of the ribbon with the star.  Isn't it yummy?

 

 

I wanted to share this next card with my Unity FWF peeps, too.  I made it a couple week's ago and didn't post it last week.  If I don't post it soon, I'll forget!

I painted the image with Creative Inspiration Paints.

 

 

Isn't that house adorable?  I love it!  I made this for a co-worker after a get together at her house.  I used the Unity Itty Bitty "Thanks for Visiting" and Unity's "Insta-live, love, dream" for the polaroid image. The sentiment is from a retired Close To My Heart set. I used Echo Park card stock and Yellow and Turquoise Stickles.  There's some Trendy Twine on this card, too.

I used the following Creative Inspirations Paints on the scene:  Mocha Latte, Tickled Pink, Sky Blue, Evergreen, Sapphire, Turquoise, Sunshine, Peach, Winter Frost, Fuchsia and Tanzanite.

 

 

I'm entering these cards in the following challenges:

 

Creative Inspirations Paints -- Anything Goes challenge

Simon Says Stamp -- Anything Goes

Get Inky! Challenge  -- Bring on the bling

Sister Act Card Challenge -- Anything Goes

Ribbon Carousel -- Showers and Flowers

Great Impressions Stamps -- Pastel Colors &/or Polka dots

D.L. Art Thankful Thursday Linky Party -- Anything Goes

 

 3 Girl Jam is having a hop on May 1, showing some {GORGEOUS} new ribbon colors.  You're going to want to check out the inspiration and the ribbon.  The hop will start here at the 3 Girl Jam blog.  And, next Friday, May 3, I and other FWF peeps will be participating in an art journal hop called Media Mix Up. That hop will start here, at Maria's blog.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Please link up your anything goes with ribbon creations here:

 





A Special Card for a Special Friend

Good morning everyone, I hope you have had a good week.  I have a card featured on the 3 Girl Jam blog today, using 3 Girl Jam Baby Girl Pink crinkle ribbon and I wanted to show it to you and tell you the story behind it. 

I have a good friend who recently celebrated a birthday.  She is a very special lady -- one of those people who will do anything for you, and through the years, has.  So, I wanted to make a card that would show her that she was special to me.  I took a lot of time to color and design this card, and when she opened it, she was thrilled.  I accomplished what I set out to do.  I always love it when people say, "Did you MAKE this?"  Yeah.  I love that.

My friend, Roxie, is a classy lady, so this Unity stamp, Maggie Girl, worked so well for her. This stamp is really big, so I made the card 6 1/2 x 5.  I used October Afternoon Cakewalk papers, and matched my Copic colors to the papers.  There's a couple Close To My Heart Kraft border strips and CTMH wood buttons, along with some Trendy Twine.  I used some Fuchsia Creative Inspirations paint on the bow of the package and a Spellbinders ribbon slide where the sentiment is stamped.  There's some Liquid Glass on the wine glass to make it look a little more realistic.

Here's a couple closeups of the different ways I used the ribbon.

and...

And, there you have it. I hope you enjoyed it, too!

Come back on Sunday for the All That Stickles Baby Blog Hop -- there'll be blog candy and great inspiration!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Creative Inspirations Paints -- Spring Colors
MarkerPop -- April Showers (springy)
Unity -- Friends With Flair