Spring Is In The Air!

Hi guys!
Spring is in the air! It's still a bit chilly, but the sun is out, the trees are budding and I saw my 1st robin of the season the other day! I say it's time for a springy card. How about butterflies? I thought you'd like that!
I used the Taylored Expressions Sketch for my card

I have this cute stamp set (Butterfly Prints-SU) that I hadn't used yet and I thought the butterflies would be great for the sketch.

I also used this thin ribbon and when I made the bow it looked really lost and lonely down there~ BORING ~ So I made a weird, funky double bow, I think it helped. Anyway, let me know what you think, I love your comments!
Oh yea, before I go- guess who turned 1 on April 4th?

That's right! Morgan is 1 year old~ That sure went by fast! She has brought so much joy into our lives~ I'm so lovin' being Gramma!

That's it for now, thanks for stopping by :)

Recipe:
Paper- white CS, designer paper all SU
Stamps- Butterfly Prints
Ink- Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Close to Cocoa
Extras- Cuttlebug Swirls folder, glitter, ribbon, pearls, pop dots

Red Pink and White ONLY

Hi guys! I hope you're all enjoying the week end. I've been working on some challenges and I came up with a birthday card for a very special friend.
I've been dying to use these beautiful angel stamps from Inkadinkado, and since Pam is an angel of a friend they were perfect for her card!

I stopped by the Creative Inspirations
challenge blog and the challenge for Wednesday was to use red, pink and white ONLY on our projects~ but we can use hair, skin and leaf colors too.
I used Jen's Sketch For You To Try for February~ great sketch, fun, fun!
I wanted to keep the card as simple as I could, so none of the panels are matted~ and that was hard for me NOT to do! I did ink the edges on the label punch because I have the white ribbon and the label is white, I wanted the sentiment to stand out a little more.

Oh boy~ I'm really tired, I'm gonna call it a night, but before I go here are some Morgan Pictures~ I always have to show her off!

Thanks so much for stopping by and keep smiling :)


I also entered this card in these challenges:
CCEE1106~ embossing folder
Our Creative Corner~ cutting/paper tole

Recipe~
stamps: Best Yet(SU), Inkadinkado(angel)
ink: black, pretty in pink, pink pirouette, real red, riding hood red
Paper: whisper white, real red, pretty in pink, dsp~ all SU
Extras: ribbon, button, cuttlebug, swirls embossing folder, white gel pen, circle scallop die, Stickles, pop dots, label punch

Valentine

Hi guys! I'm telling you, it is like the Arctic here in Connecticut! I just want to stay inside wrapped in my Snuggey. In fact, I'm on my way to bed with my book (the third Twilight~ Eclipse), but I wanted to post first.
My card is a combination of a few challenges. I used the Sketch and Stash sketch,

but I turned it on it's side. I used some buttons and an old flower from my stash. The Colour Q challenge asked us to use kraft, blushing bride, pretty in pink and pink pirouette. I didn't have blushing bride but I used something close.

Over at Flourishes the Timeless Tuesday Challenge was to use buttons, Papertake Weekly wanted hearts and My Time to Craft was all about hearts and flowers. I added four pearls to my embossed heart. They are kind of hard to see in the picture so I took a close up. I hope you can see them better because they look so pretty against the black card stock and light pink embossing. Okay well, that's it for now, I'll be talking to you soon. Thanks for stopping by and keep smiling :)

Recipe:
Stamps: Always and Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU)
Paper: kraft, pink pirouette, pretty in pink, whisper white (SU)
ink: black, close to cocoa and clear versa mark
Extras: pink embossing powder, buttons, flower, label punch, pop dots, paper piercer, white gel pen

Love you Much

Hi guys! I've spent some time giving my blog a new look~ cleaning out the old and bringing in the new. What do you think? We all need a change once in while right?
We just finished up with dinner and it's actually quiet right now so I thought I'd try to get a post in.
I combined a few challenges for my 'Love You Much' card. The sketch is from the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge My 1st time~ great fun!

The colors came from the SCS Inspiration Challenge I thought this laundry bag from the Uncommon Goods catalog was too cute, the Ways to Use It Challenge was to use hearts on our project and Crazy 4 Challenges wanted us to make a Valentine.
How 'bout that, four challenges and One card. Not bad!
Well, time to get back to the family and hopefully making some more cards later tonight when all is quiet again.
Thanks for stopping by and keep smiling :)

Recipe:

Stamps: well scripted (SU), whiff of joy
Ink: real red, choc. chip, so saffron, pacific point (SU)
Paper: whisper white, real red, pacific point, so saffron
Extras: oval punch, cuttlebug, swirls and dots dies, scallop punch, pop dots, Stickles

Friend to Friend

Hi guys! I haven't blogged in so long~ or made any cards or scrapbook pages for that matter.
It sure felt good to sit down and play with my paper, ink and stamps today! I did the sketch challenge at Splitcoast Stampers for yesterday. It's been so long that I forgot how to upload and make links! I'll try again tomorrow~ I can handle it here on Blogger though.


We've been snowed in so much here in Connecticut that I've been cleaning my desk a little here and a little there, and organizing A LITTLE mind you, but after I clean my stuff up, I get inspired to get in there and use all the fun stuff I find, some not even used yet!
I have also been enjoying my granddaughter immensely! She is the happiest little soul I think I've ever met~ always smiling and giggling and just soooooo sweet! She is the love of my life!




So, as I mentioned earlier in the post I used Tuesday's sketch at SCS, and also my colors are from The Color Throwdown challenge this week.



I didn't have any Early Espresso~ I used Choc. Chip instead.

Recipe:

CS: Whisper White, Choc. Chip, So Saffron, Crumb Cake and Bashful Blue
Stamps: Bloomin' Beautiful, Teeny Tiny Wishes~ both Stampin' Up
Ink: Choc. Chip, Barely Banana, So Saffron, Old Olive
Extras: Self adhesive pearls, ribbon, button, Stickles, pop dots, Cuttlebug, Top Note die, label punch

Thanks for stopping by and keep smiling :)

I'm a grandma!

Yup that's right! Morgan Elizabeth Allan was born on April 4, 2010~ 11:30 p.m. Easter Sunday. She weighed in at 6lbs.12.4oz, 2o"long. My daughter did an awesome job and she's doing great~ I'm so proud of her. Meanwhile... I'm so in love with this little Morgan girl, I get goose bumps whenever I think of her!! I can't describe the feeling, but it's GOOD!!!
Morgan is now 5 weeks old, she weighs almost 8 lbs, and grew 1 1/2" and she is just perfect!

Ashley's baby shower was beautiful. Her step mom Karen and I were so nervous~ party throwing is not our thing, but we hooked up with Kevin's mom and together we did a great job! A big thank you goes out to everyone who helped with the food and deserts~ everything was just delicious!
Here is the invitation~ We knew she was having a girl so I used pink and kraft, I love these two colors together. I kept it very simple because I had to make 80 of them!

We made boo boo bunnies, Hershey bar holders and Karen made the little bottle favor using baby jars, tulle and faux flame tea lights, they were just adorable!

A few more pics~
Mommy and baby.


grandma and grandpa.

And check this out~ 4 generations, that's my mom, me, Ashley and Morgan.



Well, just wanted to catch you guys up on what's been going on. I hope everyone is well and happy. Thanks for stopping by, see ya soon!
Hugs~ Denise

Bet You Thought I Fell Off The Planet

I'm so sorry for such a long absence, mostly sorry for not letting you know that I was signing off for a while. I had to take a break from things. I got overwhelmed and depression took over big time. I lost interest in everything I love to do, walls went up with everyone I love and I pretty much isolated myself. It's amazing how alone you can feel while surrounded by people who love you. I'm slowly getting back to the things I love- sunsets, reading with my kids, snuggling with my Honey, laughing with my friends and creating to name a few. I won't be blogging everyday, but I do want to check in a couple times a week and hopefully get back into some of my favorite challenges on Splitcoast.
I do have some exciting news-- I'm going to be a grandma!! My daughter Ashley is having a baby girl in April!! After the holidays I'll be working on shower invitations and decorations, I'm really looking forward to it!
Thanks so much for stopping by.

Hugs,
Denise :)

Bring Dawn Home

Hi everyone
I just wanted to let you all know about a card drive going on right now over at SCS.
My dear friend Pam has asked for help from Cindy, aka 'Mothermark', a caring and kind gal with such a giving heart, to spread the word about a very sad situation involving Pam's son and daughter's aunt Dawn who has just finished serving two years in Iraq. Before coming home she visited a friend in Africa. Days before Dawn was to come home to Bristol CT, she was in a terrible accident that has left her paralyzed from the neck down. She is in a hospital in Nairobi, and cannot be moved for at least two months. The cost of the hospital is insane amounts of money. She needs to come home!! Here is a link to the story, and what you can do to help. The SCS community is full of caring, and incredible people, I'm sure Dawn will be flooded with beautiful, uplifting cards to help keep her spirits up and help her to continue to fight to get strong enough to be able to come home.
Thanks for stopping by,
Hugs and Smiles~
Denise

One of a Kind

Hi guys~
Just couldn't sleep with the sad news about Farrah and Michael Jackson. I saw Farrah's Story a few weeks ago and I was blown away with her determination to live and her never give up attitude, and saddened at the pain she was going through. She fought courageously, with everything she had in her, and now she's at peace. Everyday that I turned on the TV or computer I was expecting to hear that she lost the battle, sadly, she did today. Michael Jackson on the other hand is a complete and utter shock. I know he got pretty strange throughout the years, but I grew up with his music, God, what a talent- and The Jackson Five~ it brings back good memories for me, of simpler times- as does Charlies Angels- time goes by fast, we have to live and savor the moments- some moments might not seem so important at the time, but looking back, I know they were, and I cherish every memory. So this card is for Farrah and MJ~ we are, each of us, all truly one of kind.
Thanks so much for stopping by, I always love when you do.
Hugs and Smiles~
Denise

Baja Love for Mojo 92

Happy Thursday everyone!
Just a quick post to share my take on this week's Mojo Sketch, then it's time to cook dinner because there are hungry people here (big sigh). I like the Baja Breeze and So Saffron color combo, and I threw in a little Baja dsp too. I colored directly onto my stamp with markers, stamped my image on whisper white cs and matted it with a Saffron panel. For the 'Love You' image I stamped it twice onto whisper white cs and colored both images with markers. I cut just the flower out of one and adhered it to the other with dimensionals. I added Stickles to the flower centers, and the 'Love You' flower.
Okay, apparently these people are starving to death, so I will add my 'recipe' a little later. Let me know what you think, I love when you stop by!
Hugs and Smiles~
Denise

SC234 Because I Care

Hi~ I hope your Wednesday is a happy one so far! I'm slowly getting back into life a day at a time, and it feels good to get some challenges done. Today's card is for the SCS Sketch challenge.. I haven't used my 'One Of A Kind' set in a while and it popped into my mind when I saw the sketch today. It's always fun to layer up this flower with pretty papers and punches! Let me know what you think~
Thanks for stopping by, and keep smiling a lot! :)
Hugs and Smiles~
Denise

Stamps: One Of A Kind, Best Yet
Paper: whisper white, old olive, raspberry tart dsp
Ink: black Archival, old olive, regal rose
Extras: paper piercer, oval and 3 flower punch, cuttlebug, half pearl stickers, dimensionals

Sketch For You To Try

I really love Jen's sketch this week- it feels so good to do a challenge! I pulled out my 'Dreams Du Jour' stamp set since I haven't used it in a while. I think it's cute for this sketch- what do you think?
Well that was quick, I'm off to dreamland now~ Thanks for stopping by, and sweet dreams to you tonight!




Stamps: Dreams du Jour (SU)
Paper: Whisper White, old olive, pretty in pink, raspberry tart dsp
Ink: black Archival, pink pirouette, regal rose, kiwi kiss
Extras: ribbon, half pearl stickers, Stickles, cuttlebug, paper piercer, square scallop punch, dimensionals

Happy New Home

First I just want to give a big thank you for all of your uplifting comments, thoughts and prayers. You have ALL put a smile on my face and in my heart. I am forever grateful because not only do I have an amazing network of friends in my life, I have wonderful, dear friends that I haven't even 'met' right here at my fingertips! BIG HUGS all around!

Okay, today I just wanted to share a gift I made for a co-worker who recently purchased a new home. I found these frames at the dollar store and I removed the glass. I stamped 'HOME' in choc. chip ink on So Saffron CS, cut out each letter and adhered them to a So Saffron panel with dimensionals. I also added some Stickles for a little sparkle, then I just layered my panels. The Always heart was heat embossed with Versa Mark ink and white embossing powder and added with dimensionals. I added some ribbon with a yellow button on top of a larger brown button (adhered with glue dots), and I made a card to go with it using my favorite 'Bloomin' Rose.



Let me know what you think, I love when you visit! Have a wonderful Monday and don't forget to smile a lot! :)
Hugs and Smiles~
Denise

Frame~
Stamps: Lovely Letters Alphabet, Always (SU)
Paper: So Saffron, Choc. Chip, Pink Pirouette
Ink: Choc. Chip, Versa Mark
Extras: Stickles, ribbon, buttons, cuttlebug, lacy scallop punch, rhinestone stickers, white embossing powder

Card~
Stamps: Bloomin' Beautiful, Beautiful Borders (SU)
Paper: Choc. Chip, So Saffron, Whisper White, Bella Rose dsp
Ink: black Archival, pink pirouette, regal rose
Extras: ribbon, butterfly punch (MS), markers, Stickles, button, word punch, oval cutter, dimensionals, half pearl stickers

Happy Father's Day

Hi! Just a short post for today, wishing all the wonderful dads out there a very happy Father's Day~ Enjoy your day!
Hugs and Smiles~
Denise

Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers (SU)
Paper: Choc. Chip, Bella Rose dsp, Baja Breeze dsp, white, baja breeze
Ink: Black Archival
Extras: butterfly punch (Martha Stewart), markers,button, ribbon, half pearl stickers, hemp

It's been a while

Hi guys~
I know it's been a very long while since my last post, and I apologize for not checking in. I've just felt so overwhelmed with everything, and fallen into a very deep depression. I hate to admit that because so many people go through much more than depression, it sounds so trite. For me it's a very dark and lonely place, even surrounded by people who love me, but I'm working hard to get through it. Thank God for the people in my life and stamping~ they are truly life lines.
Today is the last day of school and I made two of Olivia's teachers a special thank you gift. It's Lauren's Versatility Box, one of my faves and so fun to make. Here is the video tutorial if you want to take a peek. Inside both boxes is a mini sunflower planter, I found them at Target for $1 each.
Here is a view of the top of the boxes:




Here they are opened, I added a little pocket to the inside cover to store the planter's instructions:



And here is the top of the mini planter, I punched a 2" circle, secured ribbon vertically around planter and punched circle. Then I layered a 1 3/8" punched circle over secured ribbon, and added Stampin' Up!'s butterfly die to the top with a glue dot.



I hope you try this fun box, thanks Lauren for the wonderful inspiration!
Thanks for stopping by, and keep smiling a lot :)
Hugs and Smiles!
Denise

Paper: Choc. Chip, baja breeze, dsp- all SU
Stamps: Best Yet- SU
Ink: Black Archival
Extras: white gel pen, punches, butterfly die cuts (SU), ribbon, mini planters