My Sister Turns 50!

Good evening everyone!! Tomorrow my sister is turning the BIG 5-0!! I can't believe it!! She is an amazing woman, a great sister, a fantastic aunt and she has been through a lot.

She moved out of the house when I was young. She moved around the US a little bit, living in San Francisco, New York City and Atlanta. She went to college at night while she was working during the day. It took her a lot of years, but she got her degree in Computer Science and she has been in that field since I can remember. She has been employee, manager and Director. She has a house in Atlanta and she travels when she can. She learned to scuba dive last year and now she is enjoying scuba diving trips! She has always been there for me and gotten me out of more jams than I can remember! She has definitely been the successful one. I chose the family and kids route and I go to work and come home. I have never wanted to do more. I want to leave my work at work and then do my thing when I come home. And that is exactly how it works out most of the time :)  My sister is a career woman! My sister is also a survivor! She had breast cancer and fought her way through chemotherapy. Today she is a survivor and amazing! I'm proud to be her sister.

She doesn't read my blog, so I am posting her card here LOL I can't post it on Facebook until after she gets it, because she would see it there!  So here is what I came up with for her big birthday:











I've used an amazing image from Maria Medel Illustrations; this is Catrina and I thought she was going to be perfect for this card! Maria Medel Illustrations sponsored us over at Open-Minded Crafting Fun this month too! Be sure to see those creations :)  Awesome images! I printed her on kraft paper and colored her with my Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencils. I used a fun step card cut. I love the edges. I added some additional layer cuts, because I love layers! The oval die cut is from My Favorite Things. The card stock is scraps and the patterned paper is from a Halloween Stack that I have. I've added some a Poppy vine die cut as well. I've added some various flowers, a small gem/rhinestone on the skull at the bottom. I've added a bit of clear Wink of Stella on the image in some spots. There is a small amount of highlights using Copic Opaque White on the mirror and small black dots of puffy paint on the mirror frame. There are some different dew colored dew drops and some cheesecloth in behind the oval die cut. I created the sentiment and printed those out and placed them. I did decorate the inside as well. I just created those additional cuts to layer the inside as well. Then I added the little Rip headstone die cut with a brad on the inside to finish it off. All of this was cut with the Silhouette Cameo.

Challenges:

• Challenge #67: Die Cuts or Punches (1/2) @ Crafty Gals Corner
• Challenge #300: Girly and Pretty (1/1) @ Fab 'n' Funky Challenges
• Challenge #81: Anything Goes (2) @ Inspiration Destination
• Challenge #273: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog
• Challenge #244: Flowers Everywhere (1/3) @ The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog
• Challenge #194: Anything Goes (1/2) @ Brown Sugar Challenge Blog
• Challenge #18: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Crafting With Friends
• Linky Party #7: Anything Goes w/Something Colored (4) @ Ellibelle's Creative Moments
• HIMCR #247: LOL! (1/3) @ Hiding In My Craft Room
• Challenge #172: Anything Goes (1/3) @ 613 Avenue Create
• Challenge #308: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Craft Your Passion Challenges
• Use A Sentiment (1) @ Crafty Boots Challenges
• Challenge #276: Birthday (1) @ Stamps & Fun = Creativity
• Challenge #13: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Lemon Shortbread Challenge Blog
• Challenge #91: Anything Goes w/Optional Twist of Make It Funny (1/3) @ Creative Moments
• Challenge #13: Anything Goes w/Optional Girly (1/3) @ The Crafty Addicts
• Challenge #249: Your Favorite Things (dies, flowers, dew drops, papers and my pencils) (1) @ Wednesday's Creative Inspirations Challenge Blog
• Challenge #266/267: Anything Goes (1/5) @ Word Art Wednesday
• Use A Digi (1/3) @ Art At Stampz By Star
• Challenge #153: Anything Goes (2/5) @ AUD Sentiments Challenge Blog
• Challenge #17: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Jade's Sparkling Butterflies
• April: Use Kraft (2/3) @ Ching-Chou Kuik Inspiration and Challenge Blog
• Challenge #107: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Creative Fingers Challenge Blog
• Challenge #31: Anything Goes (1) @ Paper Babe Stamps
• Challenge #12: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Petal Lu Challenge Blog
• Week #15: Floral Frenzy (1/2) @ Polkadoodles
• Challenge #56: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Art By Miran Challenge Blog
• April: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Your Scrapbook Place
• April Showcase #9: Anything Goes (6) @ 2 Creative Chicks
• Challenge #18: Anything Goes (1) @ A Bit More Time To Craft
• April: Anything Goes w/Patterned Paper (5) @ Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge
• April Challenge #5: Anything Goes (6) @ Leinzlove Tear Bears Challenge Blog
• Challenge #32: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
• April: Happy Birthday (2/3) @ Scrapbook Blessings Club Facebook
• April Challenge #4: Girls, Ladies, Women (1/3) @ The Corrosive Challenge Blog
• Challenge #27: Say It With Flowers (1/1) @ Aurora Wings Challenge Blog
• Challenge #102: Fancy Folds (1/3) @ The Paper Girls Challenge
• April/May Challenge #31: Anything Goes (1) @ Not Just Cards Challenge Blog
• April/May: Birthday (1/3) @ Oddball Art Stamp Co. by Lizzy Love

Hot Cuppa Bear*

Good morning everyone... Happy Tuesday!! Time to head off to work. At least it is not raining today! I will be cold, but not wet! :D  I was able to get a lot done yesterday at work... I'm hoping for another good day. I have no complaints about the cold weather.. I love the cold! I love it way better than the hot. So, that is it for me today.. work.. come home and hopefully craft. Bailey is staying after to get some help from her math teacher to catch up on what she missed. Michael works today too. It will be just another day :)  But always a beautiful day! Every day is a beautiful day!!  And I hope you all have a wonderful day today!!

Here is my wintery card:








For this winter card I have used Mug Bear from Gerda Steiner Designs. This is the Image of the month. I've colored him up with my Faber-Castell Polychromos. I did a small amount of layering with his nose, hands and feet. The background I created using Distress Inks and water. I splattered some white paint on it as well to give it some snow. Then I've added some texture at the bottom to make it look like snow or frost along the edge. The patterned papers are all scraps. I've inked the edges of all the papers. I've cut around the image with a My Favorite Thing die cut.  Then I've added the snow flake swirl cut from a Memory Box die. I've added some glitter that. I've also added the same to the inside. I've also added to the inside and out, the snowflakes which were cut from a sizzlit die. I've also added glitter to these. On the outside I've added some blew mini dew drops to the inside of the snowflake. I've also added some ribbon. There are some gems on the side as well. The inside has the snow flake die cuts all covered with glitter and some gems and mini dew drops as well. I've added a strip of ribbon to the inside and let it hand below.

Challenges:

• Challenge #280: Die Cuts and/or Punches (1/1) @ Fab 'n Funky Challenges.
• Challenge #58: Anything Goes @ Inspiration Destination.
• Give Thanks @ Mod Squad Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #226: Layer On Layer (3/3) @ The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #208: Anything Goes (3/5) @ Word Art Wednesday.
• Pick 3 (add sparkle, use a digi, ribbon/bow) (3/3) @ Art At Stampz By Star.
• Challenge #398: Food/Drink @ Cute Card Thursday.
• Challenge #199: Pile It High! @ D R S Designs Rubber Stamps.
• Challenge #234: Say It With Flowers @ Hanna And Friends Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #05: Use Something Old (dies, glitter, ribbon, gems) (3/3) @ Julia Spiri Digital Stamps Challenge Blog.
• DTBST #306: Anything Goes (1/1) @ Sassy Studio Designs.
• Challenge #300: Winter (1/3) @ Crafty Catz.
• Challenge #97: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Creative Fingers Challenge Blog.
• Week #336: Ribbons and Bows (1/3) @ Allsorts.
• November Anything Goes (3/3) @ Catch The Bug Challenge Blog*
• Challenge #36: Anything Goes (3/3) @ CCC Digi Creations.
• Challenge #105: Anything Goes w/Twist of Blue and White @ Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #149: Anything Goes w/Optional RAK (3/3) @ 613 Avenue Create.
• Challenge #7: Anything Goes @ A Bit More Time To Craft.
• Challenge #94: Lots Of Sparkle (1/2) @ Come And Get It Challenge.
• Challenge #214: Take A Coffee Break @ Opus Gluei.
• November Anything Goes @ The Ribbon Girl Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #9: Winter / Christmas (1/2) @ A Snowflakes Promise.
• Challenge #116: Chocolate, Coffee or Tea @ Deep Ocean Challenge Blog*
• Week #44: Reds, Oranges and Browns (1/2) @ Digi Choosday.
• Retarte 64: Anything Goes @ Stamp Art Papel Retarte.
• Challenge #334: Sparkle @ Wednesday's Creative Inspirations Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #3: Pearls/Gems (3/3) @ Craft Rocket Challenges.
• Challenge #10: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Crafting With Friends.
• Challenge #51: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Creative Craft Cottage.
• Challenge #17: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Simply Paper Craft Challenges.
• November: Anything Goes w/Ribbon @ 3 Girl JAM.
• November: Sparkle, Bling & Embellish (1/3) @ Crafty Calendar Challenge.
• November Challenge #16: Winter (1/3) @ Cute As A Button Challenge Blog.
• November Challenge #33: The Colour Blue @ Country View Crafts Challenge.
• November Challenge #9: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Crafting With An Attitude.
• November: Use A Stamp or Digi Image (3/3) @ Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog.
• November Showcase #4: Anything Goes @ 2 Creative Chicks.
• November: Something Glittery (1/5) @ Craft For The Craic.
• November: Anything Goes w/a Handmade Bow @ Craft-Dee Bowz.
• November: Embellish It (3/3) @ Crafty Time Challenges.
• November: Patterned Paper @ Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.
• November: Hot Cuppa Bear @ Gerda Steiner Designs Challenge.
• November: Anything Goes Link Up @ Just Keep On Creating.
• November: Anything Goes w/Loose Glitter, Embossing Powder and/or Flocking (2/3) @ Sparkle N Sprinkle.
• November Challenge #40: Bling It On! (2/2) @ V's Sweet Ideas.
• November Challenge #4: Anything Goes/Use Die Cuts (2/3) @ The Crafty Addicts.
• November: Autumn Calling (Let's See Those Fall Colours) @ Lauralcraft.
• November Challenge #107: Lots Of Bling (3/3) @ Let's Craft And Create.
• November Challenge #26: Anything Goes @ Not Just Cards Challenge Blog.
• November Challenge #3: Anything Goes/Winter Blues (1/3) @ Where The Heart Is.
• Challenge #287: Anything Goes (2/3) @ Craft Your Passion Challenges.
• Winter Activities (1/5) @ Incy Wincy Designs*
• Challenge #100: Sprinkle (glitter) (1/3) @ Creative Card Crew.
• Challenge #111: Anything Goes w/Twist of Something Beginning with B (bear, blue) (1/4) @ Fan-Tastic Tuesday Hip To Be Square.
• Make It Sparkle (1/2) @ Scrap Creations*
• Challenge #2: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Lemon Shortbread Challenge Blog.

Nuts About You!*

Good morning again! I have a lot to do today.. so I'm working away, but I wanted to get this one scheduled to post :)  I'm looking so forward to being off for the next few days!! And I think the weather is going to get cool! I love that!! Have a great rest of your day everyone!!!

Here is my card:









For this one I've used Found It from Di's Digi's. The image is printed on kraft and colored with Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencils. There was a small amount of layering and the acorn I covered in Diamond Glaze. The card is a rocker that I cut with the Silhouette Cameo. I used all scrap papers for this card. I was able to use up a bit of fall colors with all the die cutting :)  I cut several colors and a couple of patterned papers for the rectangles layered behind the image cut. Then I cut all sorts of leaves. All of the dies are from My Favorite Things. I inked everything with Sepia ink. The sentiment I created and printed.

Challenges:

• Fabulous Fall Colors (3/3) @ Digi Designs Challenge Blog*
• HIMCR #217: Freestyle (3/3) @ Hiding In My Craft Room.
• Autumn (1/1) @ The Outlawz Paper Ala Mode.
• Challenge #109: Autumn @ Addicted To Stamps Challenge.
• Challenge #155: Use A Punch or A Die Cut (1/3) @ Glitter n Sparkle Challenge Blog.
• PIO #87: Color Combination @ Pile It On!.
• Challenge #19: Quirky Animal Magic (1/3) @ Quirky Crafts Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #192: Fall @ Use Your Stuff.
• Challenge #4: Anything Goes @ A Bit More Time To Craft.
• Challenge #280: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Craft Your Passion Challenges.
• Nature @ Make My Monday Weekly Challenge Blog.
• ODBDSLC255: Inspiration (1/1) @ Our Daily Bread Designs*
• Challenge #280: Fall Has Arrived @ City Crafter Challenge Blog.
• Autumn w/Stash of Leaves/Foliage (2/3) @ Clear It Out Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #96: Fall (2/3) @ Creative Card Crew.
• September: Shades of Autumn (3/3) @ Our Creative Corner.
• Sept 22-28: Anything Goes (2/2) @ Through The Craft Room Door.
• Challenge #110: Layer It Up (3/3) @ Crafting For All Seasons.
• September Showcase #2: Anything Goes @ 2 Creative Chicks.
• September: Anything But A Square or Rectangle (3/5) @ Craft For The Craic.
• September: Anything Goes w/Patterned Paper @ Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.
• September: Anything Goes @ Silhouette Challenges.
• Challenge #50: Spring/Autumn (2/4) @ Scrapping4Fun Challenges.
• Challenge #18: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Lil Patch of Crafty Friends.
• Challenge #48: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Creative Craft Cottage.
• Challenge #24: Anything Goes @ Not Just Cards Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #113: Autumn @ Deep Ocean Challenge Blog.
• Fall Is In The Air (2/3) @ Oddball Art Stamp Co..
• Challenge #274: Cute Critters and/or Christmas @ Fab 'n Funky Challenges.
• Challenge #52: Anything Goes @ Inspiration Destination.
• Anything Goes @ Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Wednesday Challenge.
• Challenge #308: Happy Fall Y'All @ Little Red Wagon.
• Challenge #202: Anything Goes (2/5) @ Word Art Wednesday.
• Challenge #142: Anything Goes or Women's Friendship Day (1/3) @ 613 Avenue Create.

Snow People*

Good morning everyone and a very happy Friday! I'm so glad it is the end of the week! I should be home crafting, but nope.. I'll be heading off to work in a few minutes. No plans for us this weekend unless my husband changes his mind. I'm hoping for a quiet weekend of crafting. That would be great this weekend! I hope you all have a great Friday! And happy crafting!

A different easel for today:












This is an easel card created with the Silhouette Cameo. I loved the snowflake. I added the two snow people onto the card. These two adorable snow people are from Drawn With Character. I absolutely LOVE Krista's images! I want them all!! So I colored these on Kraft paper with my Faber-Castell Polychromos. I distressed the actual snowpeople a bit. I wanted to see how they would look. I colored the two ornaments that the snow woman is holding with my Spica glitter markers. I did a bit of layering on the snow people as well. I added some gems and pearls onto the snowflake. I also added some smaller snowflakes onto the inside of the card to finish it off a bit. Hopefully the photos will show you a bit of everything.

Challenges:

• Challenge #302: Easel Card (1) @ My Time To Craft Challenge Blog*
• Challenge #87: Snowmen (1) @ Crimbo Crackers.
• Christmas Carols/Songs (Frosty the Snowman) (1/3) @ Winter Wonderland Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #2: Anything Goes (7) @ A Bit More Time To Craft.
• Challenge #55: No Designer Papers (1) @ Sparkles Christmas Challenge.
• August: Snowflakes (4) @ Christmas Cards All Year 'Round.
• August: Movie, Book, Song (Frosty The Snowman) (1/3) @ Crafty Time Challenges.
• Challenge #23 and #24: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Paradise Of Stamps.
• August Challenge #28: Anything Goes (10) @ Silhouette Challenges.
• Challenge #23: Anything Goes @ Not Just Cards Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #200: Anything Goes @ Use Your Stuff.
• August: Shaped Cards (1) @ Bunny Zoes Craft*
• Challenge #71: More Than One Fold (1/3) @ Sparkles Monthly Challenges.
• Challenge #16: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Lil Patch of Crafty Friends.
• Challenge #275: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Craft Your Passion Challenges.
• Anything Goes (3/3) @ Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #54: Snowflakes and Sparkle (1/3) @ Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge.
• August 18-24: Anything Goes (1/2) @ Through The Craft Room Door.
• Q is For Quantum (F for Frosty) (1) @ ABC Christmas Challenge.
• Get Ready For Christmas (1/5) @ Crafting By Designs.
• Challenge #75: Fancy Folds (1/3) @ Creative Moments.
• Challenge #47: Anything Goes (3) @ Inspiration Destination.
• IIC #272: Christmas In August (1) @ Inky Impressions.
• Anything Goes (3) @ Kraftin' Kimmie Wonderful Wednesday.
• Challenge #241: Anything Goes (2/3) @ Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #130: Shaped Cards (1/1) @ The Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #197: Anything Goes (3/5) @ Word Art Wednesday.
• N for No Design Papers (1) @ Alphabet Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #39: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Art By Miran Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #46: Anything goes (1/3) @ Creative Craft Cottage.
• Challenge #54: Folded Card (1/1) @ Christmas Stampin' All Year Long.

Wine Bottle Tag .. but I have no wine!.

Good morning! Happy Sunday! Yesterday was a good day. A pretty lazy day. I got a bit coloring done, but not as much as I would have liked. I'm hoping to finish what I wanted to today. That is the plan today.. color and create. Work again tomorrow means not doing much today!  Hope you have a great day!!

A different make for today:






For this wine tag I used a Whiff Of Joy image. I colored this up with pencils... Prismacolor or Faber-Castell Polychromos. I did a bit of layering on this image. I added a few gems and a few pearls to this tag. It was all cut using the Silhouette Cameo. I didn't have a wine bottle LOL I hate wine!  Bllllechh!  So I used my water bottle :D

Challenges:

• August: Anything Goes w/Patterned Paper (7) @ Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.
• August: Anything Goes (12) @ 2 Creative Chicks.
• August Challenge #28: Anything Goes (8) @ Silhouette Challenges.
• Challenge #23: Anything Goes (14) @ Not Just Cards Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #46: Anything Goes (4) @ Inspiration Destination.
• Challenge #240: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog.
• Food and/or Drink (1/5) @ Simon Says Stamp! Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #196: Anything Goes (3/5) @ Word Art Wednesday.
• Challenge #4: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Crafting With Friends.
• Challenge #92: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Simply Create Too.
• Challenge #11: Anything Goes (2/3) @ Simply Paper Craft Challenges.
• Challenge #2: Anything Goes (2) @ A Bit More Time To Craft.
• Challenge #31: Anything Goes (1/3) @ CCC Digi Creations.
• Bottom's Up (1/2) @ Sweet Stampin'.
• Challenge #137: Anything Goes w/No Twist @ 613 Avenue Create.

Music Man ... errr.. Rat!*

Good morning! A very happy Friday to you!! I am working at home today and I have to try to get through a bunch of emails. I can't seem to make them go away! LOL  That is a big part of what I will be working on today. I've told my husband that he should go for a drive with his dad. It would be a good day for it. It would be more fun then sitting here watching me work! We will see what he decides to do :) I am so excited that the weekend is beginning! I have some serious coloring to do :)  Have a great Friday everyone!!

Here is my make for today:






I love different folds and I thought this was a fun one. I used the Silhouette Cameo to cut this. The image is from Whiff of Joy. I colored him with pencils.. who knows if it was the Prismacolor or Faber-Castell Polychromos. I really need to take better notes! I added some white highlighting to the instrument. The sparkly paper is from Michaels; I fell in love with it and I thought it would go perfectly some how with this image. I added the musical notes around the card. I also added a bit of stitching and the layered cut flowers; I used the Silhouette Cameo to cut these flowers. For the center I added a sparkly brad. I loved the scripture for this card, so I arranged and printed it for both sides. Hope you like it!

Challenges:

• Challenge #150: Animals or Birds (7) @ A Gem Of A Challenge.
• July / August Challenge #77: More Than One Fold (2) @ Creatalicious Challenges.
• August: Bingo (stitching, flowers, buttons) (1/3) @ Crafty Calendar Challenge.
• August: Anything Goes w/Patterned Paper (6) @ Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.
• August: Anything Goes (10) @ 2 Creative Chicks.
• Challenge #23: Anything Goes (12) @ Not Just Cards Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #323: Flowers (2) @ Wednesday's Creative Inspirations Challenge Blog.
• FFC #100: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Jo's Scrap Shack.
• Challenge #149: Add Some Flowers (1/3) @ Glitter N Sparkle Challenge Blog.
• Everything Goes With An Image (3) @ The Ribbon Girl Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #46: Anything Goes (2) @ Inspiration Destination.
• Challenge #240: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog*
• Challenge #196: Anything Goes (1/5) @ Word Art Wednesday.
• Challenge #386: Anything Goes (1) @ Cute Card Thursday.
• Challenge #4: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Crafting With Friends*
• Challenge #11: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Simply Paper Craft Challenge.
• Challenge #119: Anything Goes (1) @ Sister Act Card Challenge.
• August: Anything Goes w/glitter, embossing powder, flocking @ Sparkle N Sprinkle*