A Beautiful Love…

In a time when divorce is just another step in the marriage process for some, there is beauty in a lasting love.  This is for a couple that really aren’t as old as this card depicts, nor does she have weight issues LOL.  I’m using it more as a symbol of the depth of their continued love.



I turn to another image by Mo Manning.  The image says it all.  It’s a beauty that can’t be found in young love.  It’s one that has had joyous occasions and many trying ones, I’m sure.  Because, unlike love stories or love songs, it doesn’t just happen and last forever.  It takes much work on both parts.



I’ve kept the card pretty simple, but I try to go for balance.  I like the color combination of the purples and the navy, and it was not difficult to pull the papers together after I had already colored the image.  I do this most of the time. This coloring was done with Prismacolors and Gamsol.  



I’ve used Spellbinders, Cheery Lynn and MS products for my cut outs.  The flowers and gems are by Recollections and the multicolored paper under the bow is by Basic Grey.  The beautiful bow is tied with my Bow Easy. I’ve use Inspirations Paint on the flowers and the sentiments are from a collection.

I’m entering this in the following challenges:

The Paper Shelter – tied bow
Everybody-Art-Challenge – anything
Party Time Tuesday – anything
Aud Sentiments – anything
My Mum’s Craft Shop Challenge – anything
The Pixie Cottage – sketch
Scrapbook Sisters – anything
Digi Doodle Shop Challenges – anything
4 Crafty Chicks – something new - the image
Secret Crafter – anything
Basic Grey Challenges – anything
Mark’s Finest Paper – anything
The Cutie Pie Challenge – card w/sentiment
Hiding In My Craft Room – Creative Inspirations paint
Creative Inspirations Paint – anything w/their paint
Crafty Boots Challenges – celebrate
Craft Room Challenge – anything
Sparkles Forum Challenges – anything but Christmas
Pile It On Challenge - bling
Delicious Doodles Challenge - anything



Thanks again for stopping by.  Hopefully you won’t get tire of my anniversary cards, as I have a few more to go.  LOL.


Hugs,


dj1952 (Debra)

My favorite Mo card of 2011????

Wow, that’s a hard one.  I love so many of them.  However, I finally narrowed it down to two and of these I chose:



Home Tweet Home.  

I did this for some friends who bought a new home (to them) and then renovated it and finally were able to move in.  I do love easel cards and shaped ones also.

I’m not included a photo of the runner up, since I don’t want to add anything that might disqualify me for the challenge over at Mo’s Digital challenge this week. But if anyone is curious you can look at “I Need My Mummy”.  I was thinking of my grandson when I did it.  Not that he looks like the boy, just that he’s cute.

I hope you enjoyed my look down memory lane. LOL.  (It was only about three months ago.)

Hugs,

dj1952 (Debra)

Anniversary number…?

I’ve lost count now of the anniversary cards I’ve done and still have to do.  My list just seems to grow longer.  But I don’t really mind, I enjoy doing them.  It’s just that I can’t always remember what image I’ve already used for any one couple.  I started writing down who I sent what card, but I got out of the habit, and now I couldn’t begin to remember who I’ve given what.



This is a card where I merged two of Mo Manning’s images together.  I also asked her permission to erase the basket that the boy was carrying, and she didn’t mind at all since I had asked and it was for my personal use.



I’ve made this into a large, joy fold card since I wanted to join in on a couple of challenges, in which I needed a little larger card.  My Cheery Lynn Dies also needed a little more room. 



In case you are wondering, the striped paper is curved, your eyes aren’t going on you. LOL.



The card doesn’t have much in the way of embellishments other than paper, jewels, flowers and Cheery Lynn dies. 



I didn’t want to distract away from the beautiful dies, so I left most everything to a minimum. I believe the yellow DP is from MS, but I’m not sure about the dotted and striped ones.



All of the dies are by Cheery Lynn Designs.  I love how intricate the designs are and the fact that they can be embossed after cutting out the die. 

I’m entering this card in the following challenges:

The House That Stamps Built – What if Wednesday – sketch
Simon Says Stamp Challenge – bingo: bottom three; multifold, flowers; brads
Shelly’s Images – anything
Meljen’s Designs – shaped card
Do You Stack Up – stripes
Cheery Lynn Designs – celebration
Pile It On – bling
Paper Playtime – anything with sentiment
Totally Gorjuss – for someone special
Everybody-Art-Challenge – anything
Aud Sentiments – anything & sentiment
Scrapbook Sisters – anything
My Mum’s Craft Shop Challenges – anything
The House that Stamps Built – Shaped Card Challenge – shaped card
Digi Doodle Shop’s Challenge – anything
Wags ‘n Whiskers – fancy folds
Secret Saturday – anything
Basic Grey Challenges – anything
Mark’s Finest Papers – anything
The Cutie Pie Challenge Blog – card with sentiment
Hiding in My Craft Room – use it or lose it – flowers
Crafty Boots Challenges – celebrate
Bunny Zoe's Crafts – shaped cards
Sparkles Forum Challenge – anything but Christmas
Bearly Mine Challenges – anything
Craft-Room Challenge - anything
Party Time Tuesdays - anything
The Pixie Cottage - sketch or someone special
4 Crafty Chicks - something new - images




Thanks again.  That’s all for today.

Hugs,

dj1952 (Debra)

Ragged Romeo…

Isn’t this just the most adorable couple?  I have so many friends celebrating anniversaries coming up in the next couple of months, and when I saw this one at Mo’s Digital Designs, I just knew I had to have it. 



I also really love this combination of pink and brown, too. It’s just that my brain isn’t working very well right now.  So please just overlook any garbled language you might see.
 
I haven’t slept much in the last couple of nights as my sweet dog, Oliver has been having seizures over the past three days and evenings, so far he’s had 23. We have medications for him, they’re just not working.  And the side-affects are almost as bad.  Oh well, enough depressing info.

Here’s a close-up of the image, which was colored with Prismacolors and Gamsol.



I always like to decorate the inside of the card too, so here’s a photo of that.



This is a close-up of the page the stamp is on.  I’ll be writing my own message on the right side of the card.




Recipe of items used:

image – Mo Manning
paper – DCWV or K and Company
Dies – Cheery Lynn and Spellbinders
Punches – MS Ribbon Loop
Butterflies inside – EK Success
Butterfly outside – Creative Creations
Flowers – Recollections
Bling – Recollections, Liquid Pearls and Stickles
Lace & Sentiment – not sure
Embossed strip with Cuttlebug folder

 I’m entering this card in the following challenges:

Stamp + Fun = Creativity – favorite material: flowers
Corrosive Challenges – anything but Christmas
One Stitch At A Time – anything
Southern Girls Challenge – celebrate
Craft Room Challenge – punches/die cuts
The Crafty Pad – anything but Christmas
Party Time Tuesday’s – ribbon
The Paper Shelter – lace
Simon Says Stamp – bingo: top line
Mo’s Digital Challenge – punches/dies 
Shelly’s Images – any celebration
Do You Stack Up – stripes 
Sundays With Crissy – anything 
Really Reasonable Ribbon’s Ramblings – trim 
Pile It On – bling 
Paper Playtime – anything + sentiment 
Flutter By Wednesdays – butterfly + anything 
Everybody-Art-Challenge – anything
Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog – anything 
My Mum’s Craft Shop Challenges – anything 
Scrapbook Sisters – anything 
Little Miss Muffet – anything 
Digi Doodle Shop Challenges – anything 
Sketches by Carly – sketch 
The Cutie Pie Challenge Blog – card with sentiment 
Karen’s Doodles – spots + stripes 
Sparkles Forum Challenges – anything but Christmas
Totally Gorjuss - for someone special
Mark's Finest Papers - anything
The Pixie Cottage - sketch or someone special


Thanks again for stopping by another week and leaving comments.  I hope that I inspire some of you some also.

Hugs,

dj1952 (Debra)

Precious Moments…

Good morning.  I want to share another anniversary card with you that I finished over the weekend.  This is for a younger couple that we really enjoy being around.  This is my first attempt at the “surprise pop-up card”.  I followed the tutorial here, most of you probably recognize the artist, Beate Johns.  It was much easier that I thought, and you can make it any size.  

Here is a picture of the card when it is closed.

 

These are photos of the full size card, one opened as you would see first.



And this one, with my handwritten message on the back.  You could also put another stamped sentiment here if you like.  I placed some dark green paper under the back of the card so you could see the tag more fully.



The paper I’ve used is Basic Grey, and I thought it was beautiful.  The two blues and dark green are regular card stock.  I used a MS punch and a Cheery Lynn die for the top of the card.



I added a button, ribbon piece for a bow and some pearls to finish it off.  Of course there is also ribbon on the end of the tag.  (I made it this color by coloring a light blue piece with my dark green Sharpie marker.

I’m entering this card in the following challenges:

Delightful Challenges – anything
Shelley’s Images – anything
Little Miss Muffet Challenges – buttons and ribbons
Tiffany Doodles – digi
Frosted Designs – ribbon
Totally Gorjuss – someone special
Corrosive Challenge – anything but Christmas
Just Tracy’s Crafts Challenge – celebrate
One Stitch At A Time – anything
Stamp + Fun = Creativity – favorite materials – ribbon
Craft Room Challenge – die cuts and punches
The Crafty Pad Designs – anything but Christmas
Meljen’s Designs – shaped card
Party Time Tuesdays - ribbon
Lily Pad Cards – buttons
Sunday’s With Chrissy – anything
Really Reasonable Ribbon – anything + ribbon
Pile It On – bling
Paper Playtime – anything + sentiment
Ladybug Crafts Ink – bingo: buttons, dies, pearls
Everybody-Art-Challenge – anything
Wags ‘n Whiskers – fancy folds
Basic Grey Challenges – anything
Secret Crafter – celebration
The Cutie Pie Challenge – card + sentiment
Bunny Zoe’s Crafts – shaped card
Sparkles Forum Challenges – anything but Christmas
Bearly Mine Challenge – anything

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving nice comments.  They really encourage me.

Hugs,

dj1952 (Debra)

Happy Anniversary You Two…

Hi again.  I can’t believe I’ve finished another card!  (I did color up several images before I started making these cards, thankfully.)  This is obviously another anniversary card for some dear friends.
I’ve used Basic Grey paper and I can’t remember who the rest is from.  I used my die cuts from Nestibilities for the tag and image.  The one for the card is by Cheery Lynn Designs.  The flowers and gems are by Recollections.  I wanted a little extra bling, so I added some beautiful ribbon I got at Hobby Lobby’s and then made my “stitches” with a gold gel pen. 



I colored my image by Mo Manning with my Promarkers.  I still have a long way to go in learning to use them, but practice does help.

 

I didn’t do too much to the inside, but I will finish it up with some more bling and punches.



I’m entering this in the following challenges: 

I Love My Promarkers – shaped card
Mo’s Digital Challenge – banners or tags
Divas by Design Challenge – anything
Meljen’s Designs – some green
Totally Papercrafts – anything but Christmas
Daisy Doodles – sweet
Critter Challenge – sketch
The Paper Shelter – celebration
Corrosive Challenge – anything but Christmas
Sunday’s With Crissy – anything
Pile It On – bling
Cardmadfairy’s Digi Days – tags
Wags ‘n Whiskers – fancy folds
Basic Grey Challenges – anything
Bunny Zoe’s Crafts – shaped card
Tiffany Doodles – digi

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you’ll leave a comment.

Hugs,

dj1952 (Debra)

The Kissing Booth…

I guess you could say I’ve been busy lately.  I hope that I will be able to post a few more cards this week.  At least that’s the plan.  This is the first of several anniversary cards that I need to do this month.  I’m hardly ever on time with them, but I try.

This cute couple are by The Paper Shelter.  They have so many lovely images.  I won a couple, and then of course I had to go purchase a few more.  This works really well for an anniversary card; for a friend or for your mate. 



I don’t really enjoy doing all white cards, but there was a challenge I wanted  to enter this week, so I decided to give it a go again.  I’m not completely pleased with the way it turned out, because I like to have several layers of matting and paper. All of the dies on the page are by Cheery Lynn Designs.  The one border punch is by MS.  I used Creative Inspirations Paint on the “Sweet William” flower die and then put clear gems in the center.  The flower’s base is the center cut-out from the “Scandinavian Hearts” which, along with the leaf swirl I’ve glittered; I also added the laurel leaves in white.
 


I used a Cricut embossing folder with hearts for the backing of the couple.  I topped the corners with Candy Buttons.  The ribbon I used for my bow (using Bow-Easy), is from Bunny Zoe's Crafts.  And finally the stamps are from Stamping Scrapping.

I’m entering this card in the following challenges:

The Paper Shelter – celebration
Divas By Design – anything
Desert Islands Crafters Challenge – recipe: glitter, embossing, green and blue
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge – sketch
Digi Doodle Shop Challenges – nature (they’re outside)
Meljen’s Designs – some green (boy’s shirt, grass)
Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge – anything
Totally Papercrafts – anything but Christmas
Digi Designs – all white except image
One Stitch At A Time – digi
Sundays With Crissy – anything
Cheery Lynn Designs – handmade flower
Daisy Doodles - cute
Simply Create Too – embossing
Corrosive Challenges – anything but Christmas
Pile It On – bling
Tiffany Doodles – digi 

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope you’ve enjoyed stopping by, and I hope you’ll leave a comment.

Hugs,

dj1952 (Debra)

A Snowy Anniversary

This is one of those cards that took forever and was changed on several occasions.  I first had the idea to do a stair step card, and then a center step card, but I finally settled on this easel card with two additional add-ons after I saw a card by Pam Sparks. Pam’s tutorial breaks it down so easily.  She does fabulous work!  This was really so much easier than the stair step card, and I know that I’ll try more on a later date.  What I liked about it is that you have a standard “back” and it doesn’t slope to the front of the card.

Here’s a side view, so you can see the difference in the add-on easel card and a stair step. The two add-ons are the same size as the base of the card; in this case 6”x6”.



The adorable snowman and Eskimos are by Mo Manning and the gorgeous trees are by Gingerloft.  The dies are all by Cheery Lynn Designs; (the gate, flower, pine leaves and the beautiful die under the flower).  The snowflakes were cut out from another dp and just glued on, and then a gem placed in the center.  The little “lights” are some that I found a year or two ago at Hobby Lobby.
 


I colored my images with Prismacolor pencils  and Gamsol, and believe it or not, I didn’t color my image to match the lights; it just all worked out like it is.  The dp on the front add-on is by Basic Grey, and the other is by Recollections.  I used some quilt batting for my snow, and then I went crazy with the stickles. LOL!  The sentiment was printed from my computer.



I’m going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Mo's Digital Challenge - snowman
Ellephantastic Challenges – weather related
Clearly Inspired – flowers
Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge – snowmen
Phindy’s Friday Challenge – snow
Sweet ‘n Sassy Digi Challenge – favorite things – dies
Crafty Calendar – winter wardrobe
Secret Crafter – border and flowers
Totally Gorjuss – sparkle
Designed 2 Delight – snowmen
UnstampaBelles Challenges – trees and die cuts
Stamp and Create – easel or center step cards
Cherry Lynn Designs – shaped card
Craft Your Passion – winter
Kaboodle Doodles – bundle up
Stamps + Fun = Creativity – distressing
The Crazy Challenge – stars or snowflakes
Bearly Mine – favorite things – die cuts
Creative Craft – free for all
Crafty Purple Frog – for someone special
Gingerloft – winter
Cardmadfairy’s Digi Days – winter wonderland
Little Claire’s – shaped card
Basic Grey Challenges – lost and found – quilt batting
Dream Valley Challenges – sparkle
Crafty Boots Challenges – anything
Hooked on Craft Challenges – winter wonderland
Ooh La La Creations – sparkle 
Creative Stamp Friend – scene 

Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope your will leave a comment.

Hugs,

dj1952 (Debra)

O Sole Mio…

When I was young I thought this meant my only love, or something like that.  Of course, once I was old enough to learn a little about other languages, I knew that was not correct.  In fact in means “my sun” (like my sunshine), so it is still a beautiful thought, especially to a loved one.
This is the anniversary card I’ve finally done for my husband of 39 years.  I really liked the cards I did the last 2 years and I was having a difficult time deciding what to do this year. Our anniversary was actually on the 21st of last month, so to say I’m late, is stretching it a bit.  But he was speechless when I gave this to him.



My favorite color is this deep red color, but I just didn’t know how to make it work this year.  I’ve used several of the beautiful Cheerylynn Designs dies for this card, to meet their challenge this week.  (It calls for red and green.) The cute image is by The Paper Shelter.  I wasn’t particularly happy with my coloring at first and actually planned to use the image for a different anniversary card.  But once I added the frame (it’s called Scandinavian Hearts) it all came together. 



I used my bow-easy again, and the more I use it, the better I like it.  The butterfly and the flourish are also from Cheerylynn Designs.  The papers are from several sources, the roses, gems and pearls are by Recollections.  I’ve used MS punches on the outside and inside of the card, as well as Cricut. I also added stickles to the roses, butterfly and the water.
  


The one on the inside is one I use often, and is one of a large set about “memories”.  I also typed my message to my dh as well as, the sentiment on the front (I didn’t take a picture of the one to my husband, but it is now on the left-hand side, on the inside of the card. I don’t remember who did the sentiments on the back.



I’m entering this card in the following challenges:

Sketches by Carly – sketch
2 Sisters Challenge Blog – sparkle
Hooked on Craft Challenges – dies
One Stitch at a Time – anything
Ooh La La Creations – bingo: flowers, dies, ribbon
Cheery Lynn Designs – red and green
Tiffany Doodles – sparkle and glitter
Digital Tuesday Challenge – sparkle
Sassy Cheryl’s Challenge – anything
Paper Sundaes – bows
Alota Rubber Stamps – dots and pearls (dots are on the inside cardstock)
Cooking It Up With Katie – punches, ink (inked the butterfly to make red), embossing (around frame and on leaf flourish)
Flutterby Wednesday – anything
My Mum’s Craft Shop – things with wings
Papercraft Star – anything
Shelly’s Images – red and green
Delightful Challenges – red and green
Hanna and Friends – red and 1 other color
Moving Along With The Times – ribbon and bows
Just Some Lines – tic, tac, toe: punch, digi, glitter
Bearly Mine Challenges – favorite things – dies
Creative Craft Challenges – free for all
The Sisterhood of Crafters – polka dots (on the inside of the card)
Crafty Purple Frog – for someone special
Paper Crafting Journey – anything

Thanks again for stopping by and leaving a comment.  I love to hear from you.

Hugs,

dj1952 (Debra)

We have two winners!

I know that everyone who joined in on my candy give-away would like to hear who the winners are.  There were a total of 11 who joined and qualified for both drawings.  The winner of the first prize is Nikki,  congratulations Nikki.  And the winner of the second prize is Annemaritta,  Congratulations Annemaritta.

I used the random generator to select both names.

If you ladies will send me your email addresses, I'll contact you and get your mailing addresses.  Since you are both overseas, please allow extra time for these to arrive.  It will also take me a day or two to get them to the post office to mail.

I wish I could give all of you a prize, but I hope you will try again next time.

Hugs,

Welcome Little Girl…

This is my third baby card that I’ve been working on over the last few days.  I already had a couple of little girls colored for the little girl card that I’m making, but I just had to get this one after I saw it at Mo’s Store.  But I now have some little girls colored ahead if I need them.



She has so many cute little children images.  I’ve also used several dies by Cheery Lynn Designs.  I cut the easel card with stacker dies, then I used a flourish and another leaf at the top. 



I cut the easel card with Cheery Lynn stacking dies, so I would have a different shaped easel card.  I used two different papers by Basic Grey: the paper on the bottom with the pearls is from a Kioshi paper pack.  And the paper on the outside of the image is open stock paper called Euphoria.  I’ve also used some older paper by DCWV.  



I also used my Spellbinders dies and some decorative scissors. The pearls (dots) and the flowers are by Recollections. The sparkly lace is from Hobby Lobby and I’ve used the We R Memories sewing and paper piercing system again. Oh, and I used my new Bow-Easy template, too.  I LOVE it for making bows.

I’m entering this card in the following challenges:

Mo’s Digital Challenge – folds
Crafty Ann’s Challenge – flowers
If the Shoe Fits – something new – shaped easel card other than round
CES Challenges – roses and ribbon
2 Sisters Challenges – anything
Mark’s Finest Papers – favorite technique – distressing
One Stop Craft Challenge – ribbon (used to make the bow) and lace
Secret Crafter – spots (pearls) stripes
Dream Valley Challenges – stitching
Heart Song Inspirations – glitter (on lace)
Make It Monday – always anything goes
Pink Elephant – embossing (on leaves and nestibilities dies
City Crafter Challenge – 4-legged friend
Creative Belli – paper piercing (under sewing)
Paper Crafting Journey – embossing
My Mum’s Craft Shop – mix and match paper
Whimsy Stamps – flowers
Shelly’s Images – anything
Lily Pad Cards – texture
A Gem of a Challenge – sketch
Basic Grey Challenges – at least 2 BG items
Gingerloft Challenge – lace
Hooked on Craft Challenges – dies
Dream Valley Challenges – stitching
Lexi’s Creations – no straight edges
Stamps R Us – bling
Tiffany Doodles – glittery (lace)
Forever Friends Monthly Challenge – something old – papers; something new – bow-easy for making bow
A lot Rubber Stamps – dots (pearls)
Divas by Design – monochromatic
Stamp and Create Monthly Challenge – easel
Little Claire's Designs - shaped card
Delightful Challenges - bingo: pattern paper, die cuts and flowers
Paper Play Challenges - shaped card 
Southern Girls Challenge - bingo: lace, gems, embossing


Thanks for stopping by.  And especially if you leave a comment.  

Hugs,

dj1952 (Debra)

Baby Dino…

Not a very original name, but I’m just not thinking too well.  I have one of those nasty migraines coming on.  So I’m trying to get this posted before it hits full-force.
As soon as I saw this little cutie by the talented Chrissy Armstrong at Whimsy Stamps, I just had to have him.  Of course, he could be a she, too, which makes it even nicer.




I haven’t made a tri-shutter card in quite a while, and I love them for baby cards, so here we are.
 


I had a completely different layout planned, and had even cut out a different paper and had adhered it to the front and back panel, but it just wasn’t working.  Thankfully I was able to pull it off without damaging the cardstock.  I believe this dp is all by DCWV.  I took cuts from two different sheets; the “Mother Goose” paper is all glittered and the “Baa Baa Black Sheet” is not. 




The front panel was made by coloring the image and then cutting it out, shaping it and using a double layer of pop dots to make it look more three-dimensional.  The sentiment was made by combining stamps, stamping them on a complementary color of card stock with blue ink, then going back over it with clear embossing ink  (I can’t believe I was able to line it up perfectly.) and heat setting it.  I finished it off with “faux” stitching and the little buttons of candy.  



The rest of the card was made by cutting out various areas of the papers, distressing them with Tim Holtz ink and adhering them.  I used more of the candy buttons on the inside.  I did cut out a second “Mother Goose” and pop-dotted her to give her more dimension, also.

I’m entering this card in the following challenges:

Incy Wincy Designs - stitching
Ooh La La Creations – stitching
Digital Tuesday Challenge – anything
4 Crafty Chicks – baby
Crafting For All Seasons – texture
Paper Pretties – buttons
Scrapbook Sisters – babies
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge – cute
Do You Stack Up – inspired by a song: Dinosaur Train (My grandson love it)
Crafty Catz – digi
If the Shoe Fits, Scrap It – try something new – heat embossing on top of a stamped image
2 Sisters Challenge – anything
Designed 2 Delight – baby
Secret Crafter – spots & stripes
Dream Valley Challenges – stitching
Daisy Doodles Creative Challenges – anything
Paper Crafting Journey – embossing
Lily Pad Cards – texture
Cardmadfairy – texture
Forever Friends Challenge Blog – something old (papers), something new (digi)

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope you will leave me a comment.  Have a great day.

Hugs,

dj1952 (Debra)