Welcome Spring Wildflowers.

Hello everyone!  Spring is here in Ohio.  The flowers are starting to poke through the ground already.  It's making me think of wildflowers.

The weather is so nice that Todd decided to go for a 45 mile bike ride today.  Too bad we had a thunderstorm while he was gone. He ended up getting drenched, but he was safe.  While he was gone I decided to make some cards.

I recently won the brand new Gina K. Designs Wildflowers stamps set by Melanie Muenchinger.  She even autographed the set for me.  How awesome is that?  It just so happens that Gina K's video this week features that very same stamp set, so I couldn't resist following along.

This was really a fun card to make.

The second card I made was for the Crafty Steals Third Thursday Sketch Challenge.

I used some scrap papers I found in my drawer. I also used up a scrap of transparency that I had.  I added some baker's twine, some bling, and a sentiment to finish it off.  I really love how this card showcases the background paper.  

I'm Binding it All!

First, we'll start with Christmas Cards.  I decided to save all of the very special and handmade cards that were sent to us for Christmas.  I couldn't think of a better way to save them than by binding them together with the Bind-it-All that I got for Christmas.

Here is the front of the album.  I used a Christmas Card that I received in the past on the cover.

Inside are all the handmade and special cards.  

I was in a card swap and received a whole bunch of beautiful cards.  

Now on to our Anniversary (January 18th) and Valentine's Day.

Here's the cover of the book.

Inside are the cards that Todd and I exchanged and also all of the Valentine cards that I receive from a swap that I was in.  I will enjoy looking at this book for years to come.

Many of you know I love to make cards, so I was happy to get this free CardMaker Calendar.

It's a free download if you like their Facebook page.

There are card sketches for every month, plus a bunch of bonus card sketches.

I simply printed it on card stock and bound it with the Bind-it-All.

I'm going to hang it in my craft room.  Now I just have to get caught up on January and February.

One more thing... for a chance to win a Ribbon Carousel, go check out their Newsletter Giveaway.

Angry Birds Valentine!

I decided to get crafty for Todd's Valentine's Day gift.  I have been saving some toilet paper tubes and was trying to think of something to do with them.  I surfed the internet and got the idea to make some Angry Birds!  It's the perfect romantic gift, right?  RIGHT?

Here they are!

The birds and pigs are toilet paper tubes cut in half (two inches high).  I cover them with card stock and decorated them with some google eyes and more card stock.  I attached three buttons to some wire for the blue bird because he breaks into three tiny birds in the game.  I had to do some eye surgery on the big red bird using a sterile craft knife and hole punch (the black parts of the eyes were originally way too big).  The pigs have button noses and google eyes, too.  I rubber stamped some texture onto the remaining toilet paper tubes with some distress inks to make them look more like wood.

This was really a fun project.  Hindsight says I should have taken pictures along the way to make a tutorial.  Next time, I promise!

Be My Valentine

Today I've been making Valentine cards.  I hope you enjoy!

This first card is for the Ribbon Carousel Challenge RCC36.

It's a recycled card using an old Valentine's card and part of a paper bag (the checked pattern).  The other paper and the ribbon have been in my stash forever and were fun to add.

Here's the sketch: 

 

These next three cards were made from some papers and embellishments I received as a prize over at Scrapadilly.  I had a lot of fun using these papers and embellishments.

This first card is for the Skipping Stones Designs Sketch #111.

I love using card sketches and this is one of my favorites.

This card is for the Third Thursday Sketch Challenge over at Crafty Steals.

This was a fun challenge and I enjoyed using flowers and bling.

This last card is inspired by the sketch at CPS (Card Positioning Systems):  CPS 252 Part 1.

They have a whole bunch of card sketches to inspire you.  

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

What is inspiring you this Valentine's Day?

One More Layout

Here is one more layout I completed today.  I had a blank spot in the middle of my scrapbook and I needed to fill it with a page, so here it is.

Flat Tire Layout.  I had a flat tire on my bike while riding on the Tri-County Triangle Trail.  Luckily, we were right by a crossroad and Todd was able to ride back and get the car to pick me up.  I took some photos while I was waiting.

This is for the Go Fish Challenge #9.

Cardstock:  DCWV

Lettering:  Basic Grey

Patterned paper and embellishments are from Scenic Route.

I love how this patterned paper matches the color and flowers on my bike.

Scrapbook Pages? Really?

Guess what?  I scrapbooked!  Actually put pictures on paper and made pages!  Those that know me, know that is a rare thing.  But guess what?  It was fun.  

On Christmas Day, 2011, the weather was unseasonably mild here in Ohio, so we took the dogs for a hike to Ash Cave.  They really enjoyed it and we have decided that we should do this more often.

This first layout uses papers from Sassafras Lass.  I love their papers.  The burlap banner was a RAK I received from my friend Michelle.  They are from Canvas Corp.  The flowers are Flora Doodles from Petaloo.  The background card stock is DCWV.

This second layout is three different views of the same waterfall.  I love the red sun artifacts in the first photo.  The ricrac is something I've had in my stash for years.

Thanks for looking!  Where are your favorite places to hike?

Thanks to you times two

Hello and Many Thanks to You and Thank You Very Much!

Thanks to all of you who check out my blog and leave me happy comments, it really brightens my day.

Today I made two recycled cards.  Someone had given me a stack of Thank You cards because she spilled something on them and was going to throw them away.  She knew I was crafty and could probably do something with them.  It just so happens that I love to recycle greeting cards, so I really enjoyed this project.  I cut away the ruined portions of the cards and worked with what I had left. 

This first card is for the Stampendous Saturday January Bling Challenge on Just Jingle.

I love Jingle, she is so full of energy and spunk.  Thanks Jingle for all of the happiness and inspiration that you spread.

The flowers and vase are glittered and there I added holographic blue bling to the centers.  The blue background along with the words are metallic for added sparkle.

Here is a second card I made today.  The red flowers and green background are metallic.

Thanks again to all of my blog readers and followers!  I appreciate each and every one of you.

So... what are you thankful for today?

Three More Cards!

Hello Everyone and Happy Thursday!  I've been working on some card challenges and I thought I'd share them with you.

This first one is for Skipping Stones Design Sketch #110. 

I love using card sketches as inspiration.  

The balloon and landscape are stamped with the Skipping Stones Uplifting stamp set.

Everything else is scraps from my stash.  I love using up my stash.

This card is for the Go Fish Challenge #8:  White on White.

I hardly ever do tone-on-tone, so this was definitely out of my comfort zone.  

I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder and a glitter pen for the background.

This card is for the Michael Strong Rubber Stamps Love is in the Air challenge on his Yahoo Group.

This is also for the Pixie Dust Challenge #109.

Spreading Sunshine in January

Here we go!  I made two cards today.  I decided to use bright yellow to spread some sunshine in January.

This first one is for the Skipping Stones Designs Sketch Challenge #109.

I used the cover sheet for a Basic Grey Origins Collection Pack.  I love recycling things and thought this fit the sketch perfectly.  I also used two rub-ons from the same collection.

I stamped "Sending you sunshine!" from the Skipping Stones Uplifting Stamp Set.

This second one is made from the scrap of yellow card stock left over from the card above.

I used a card front from a thank you card I received long ago.

The lace is stamped from the Stella and Rose collection (MME) - new stamps I got for Christmas.

I hope you enjoy my splash of summer in January!

Thank You from my dogs.

Last Saturday, we walked in the Puppy Up! Walk to help fight Canine Cancer.  We walked in Honor of Bosco and Marty (that we lost last year from Canine Lymphoma).  Thank you to your generous donations I was able to raise $125 for this great cause.  You can read about our story on my fundraising page.

Oscar and Jonah walked with us and we had a great time.  Stevie and Jessica also joined us for the walk.

Here Oscar Sporting his Puppy Up!  Bandana.  He is so handsome.

Jessica, Stevie, and Todd walking with Jonah.

Oscar isn't very fond of his Gentle Leader Collar and decided to roll around in the leaves trying to get it off. He's a nut.

Oscar and Jonah were so happy for all of the donations, they decided to make some cards to say Thank You to everyone that donated.

These were inspired by the sketches at Scrapadilly.

These also will be featured in November's Sneak Peeks at The Crafty Table.

Scrapadilly Card Crop

I made these four cards for the Scrapadilly Card Crop this month.  I enjoyed crafting with paper this weekend.

This one is inspired by 365 Cards, Day 251, Super Sketchy Sunday.

This one is for the Sketch Challenge I posted at Scrap Sisters Studio.

These two are inspired by Oscar to help thank those that donated for our Puppy Up! Walk to fight Canine Cancer.  We had a nice walk in the park today and raised a total of $165 to the cause.

As always, these cards also will be posted in the November Sneak Peeks at The Crafty Table.

Same Papers, Different Cards

These cards were made for the Card and a Half Extra Challenge #5:  Same Papers, Different Cards.

This was a fun challenge.  I like using the same supplies on two different cards.