Getting Squirrel-y

Texas is definitely under a heat wave right now - at least where we live!  It was 105 for several days running this past week and is just TOO HOT!!

I caught this little guy hoping someone would come out and at least fill the bird bath so he could get a drink!   While I was taking the picture, he just kept looking up at me with these sad, sad eyes - so yes, I DID give him some water and he's a happy camper once again. 

I guess these are the squirrel days of summer instead of the dog days of summer.  He sorta looks like I feel at times in this heat!

Thanks for stopping by...........and hope everyone is having a great weekend.
Lynn

Merry Monday #26

I haven't played along with the Merry Monday challenge lately and really need to start doing this every week since Christmas will be here before you know it!

Once again, I used one of my very favorite stamp sets (To You and Yours from SU).  I used markers to color the image and then a glitter pen for the "snow".  You can't see that real well in the photo though.  The embossed background was done with the Snowflake embossing folder and I used Baja Breeze and White card stock on my card.  The frame was made with a couple of punches and then I added the Baja Breeze bow.  I'm STILL not satisfied with the sentiment size and placement - but such is life I guess and it's still going to make a good Christmas card for someone.

I'll enter this in the Merry Monday #26 Challenge (Sketch).

Thanks for stopping by..........I'm going to be away from the computer for several days but have a CUTE photo I'll post on Saturday - and then will stop by everyone's blog on Sunday!
Lynn

Butterflies and Cupcakes

This is my second post for the day........if you're looking for the Shopping Our Stash post, it's directly below!

We've got such a YUMMY looking inspiration photo for you at our {Pin}spirational Challenge #12 beginning today!!!   Be sure and stop by and look at all the inspiration from the DT!  Submit your entry for a chance to WIN!!!

Ok, looking at the inspiration photo I saw cupcakes, butterflies (or maybe a dragon fly), and some blue and brown.  So I used the colors (Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, and just a tad of brown on the butterfly wings) and of course the butterfly!  I used my Memory Box die and then placed the butterfly (Flores Suaves from SU) in the center.  I believe the sketch is from Card Patterns from several weeks ago.

See....YUMMY looking - right!

We'd love to have you come on over to {Pin}spirational Challenges and play along! 
Thanks for stopping by.............
Lynn

More Red, White, and Blue

We have a new challenge starting today at Shopping Our Stash.....and the theme is Stars and Stripes or Red, White, and Blue!!  Be sure and check out the challenge blog for all the details and see all the wonderful inspiration from the Design Team. 

I went with the red, white, and blue part of the challenge theme - but then added several stars too.  I'm really not sure if this design is something I thought up in my own head (surely NOT - but maybe!  LOL!) or if it's a CASE of a card I saw somewhere.  If it's a CASE and it was your card, please let me know so I can give credit.  I used three different scraps of DP and then the stars were cut out in Kraft and run through a Crimper.   I popped up the two larger stars and then wrapped some Baker's Twine around them.  Another easy mailer!

My post for {Pin}spirational Challenges will be up in a few minutes........Another great inspiration photo!

Thanks for stopping by.......and be sure and check out the Shopping Our Stash challenge.
Lynn

Lovin' Those Stars

With July 4th right around the corner I thought I'd make a few red, white, and blue cards.  I generally don't send out cards for July 4th but thought I may this year.   I'm probably the world's worst when it comes to making cards - and then never sending them!  I'm really going to try to do a little better this year (yeah, right)!!

I used an image from SU and then of course the red, white, blue - and Kraft - also used the stripes and the swiss dots embossing folder.  The stars were cut with a Sizzix die and a brad placed in the center and popped up..  Quick, easy, and ready to mail!  Sorry for all the shadows on here but It was really late in the day when I took this photo and the sun/shade was doing all kinds of funky tricks.

I'll enter this is the challenges at Just Inspirational Challenges (Sketch), Card Making Mamas (Red, White, and Blue), Paper Crafting Journey (Feeling Crafty-use a piece of Kraft CS), and The Poodles Parlour (Red, White, and Blue)

Thanks for stopping by.......and I'll be back around on Tuesday with a couple of posts!
Lynn

Gone to Pot

Time for a FUNNY FRIDAY!!!!!

A little (toilet) humor and a short story..............

I really won't go into all the DIRTY details of this, but.....every time Jim's sister comes to visit, she stops up the toilet!  No one really knows what she's doing in there - and  we don't WANT to know either, but it happens every time.  LOL!  Last time they were here Jim and his brother in law ended up having to go outside and dig up part of the sewer line to fix the problem!  Talk about a messy job.......but it had to be done!!  After that little episode, every time she'd go into the bathroom, we'd start banging on the door with warnings (and a lot of laughter of course).  I also took the plunger and tied a bow on it and put it in the bathroom - just for her! LOL!!  I'm going to send this to her so she'll know we still want her to come back!

The image is from Dude Time Doodles.....it was a freebie last week but you can still find it in the DTD store.
The idea of the little flower came after seeing Tammy's card last week.  She had an entire bouquet on hers and I loved it (go by and check out all her wonderful cards) but all you get on mine in one single flower!  In fact, if you check out the Dude Time Doodles blog you'll see all the DT's cards with this image - and just be amazed.

I'll enter this in the challenge at Art Impressions Stamps (Make Us Laugh).

Thanks for stopping by......and remember to always flush, conserve toilet paper, and have that plunger handy.....................KEEP SMILING..........

Lynn

Message Center

The theme over at Creative Belli Challenges beginning today is 3-D (Anything But A Card)!  Come on over and enter your 3-D project  and you may be selected as the next Guest Designer.  Remember, in keeping with the spirit of the Belli Challenges, to use your old and forgotten embellishments.

Not  too long ago these acrylic frames and pens were all the rage!  Ok, so I stocked up on them and figured I'd NEVER run out!  I think I still have about 4 packages of the pens and at least 3 or 4 of the frames and they're gathering dust in the craft room!  The ribbon is some I don't think I've ever used before.  The notebook type backing paper was a freebie from somewhere (don't remember where though) and I used an image from Lawn Fawn (Just My Type).  I added that big pink rhinestone in the center of the rotary dial and a small piece of DP was rolled up and placed in the pen.  A simple little project that will be useful!

I know some of you don't remember this type of phone.....but I thought I'd died and gone to Heaven when this kind came out - and I didn't just have to pick up the phone and tell the operator what number I wanted.  I could actually dial it myself!!!! Amazing!!

I'll enter this in the challenge at Simon Says Stamps (Anything but a Card)

This will be my last post for the Creative Belli Challenge and just wanted to thank all the DT.  I'll miss y'all so much!  I'll check back in ever so often pay along in the fun challenges too.  Thanks again for everything.

Thanks for stopping by..........and be sure and check out the Creative Belli 3-D challenge.
Lynn

Shopping Our Stash Challenge Stickers

How about some STUCK ON STICKERS this week for our Shopping Our Stash Challenge.  Yes, that's right....we want to see what you can create using any type of sticker!  We all have them I'm sure - but do you use them that much?  If you're like me, you don't!  So dig into that stash of yours, find a sticker, and create something for our challenge!  Be sure and check out our blog and see all the inspiration from the DT.

I really think I got this dimensional sticker (Jolee's by You) at a yard sale at some point in time.  It came in a package of two and the other one was used so long ago.  I thought this would make a pretty card for an Anniversary.  I also used some "never before used" GCD Studio DP.  It's topped off with some Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Pink Pirquette, the Square Lattice embossing folder, Framlits Hearts. pearls and....are you ready for this.............Smooch Spritz!!!  Amazing!  I finally figured out how to use that stuff but it's such a shame you can't see it in the photo.  It really gives a sheen to the card.  I was just spraying it on and it was coming out in big blobs - never thought that maybe I should shake it up a bit! Duh!

I'll enter this is the challenge at There She Goes (winged things).

You can find my {Pin}spirational Challenge post below this one.

Thanks for stopping by..........and be sure and check out Shopping Our Stash and come on over and play along!
Lynn

{Pin}spirational Challenge #12

Time again for another wonderful {Pin}spirational Challenge!!!  If you haven't already played along, please do so since who knows, you could be out next winner!  Plus....it's a fun challenge, fabulous inspiration photos, and so much inspiration from the DT!  Become a follower and that way you won't miss a single challenge!

I used a Stampablities image and some very BRIGHT colors!  In fact, you probably need to put on your sun shades for this one!  I can really relate to this little guy since when I was very young I used to play baseball with all the boys in the neighborhood.  Um....I still have a couple of scars to prove it too! LOL!

Don't you just adore this wonderful inspiration photo!!!  It screams SUMMER and fun and games to me!
Check out the {Pin}spirational Challenge!

I'll be back in a little bit with my Shopping Our Stash challenge....so stay tuned for that one too.

Thanks for stopping by...........
Lynn

Lonesome Windmill

This is probably one of the very first stamps I ever bought and I think I've only used it one other time!  It's from Stampablities.  I'm in the process of un-mounting some of my stamps in order to save space and I'm finding a slew of stamps I've never even used before!  Pretty scary.  I would say I'm not going to buy another single stamp until I've used all the ones I have at least once - but know that's not going to happen!  Why is this "hobby" so addictive!!!

A very clean and simple card but think it'll be good for a guy....for several different occasions.  I used some Night of Navy, Very Vanilla, and Kraft.  The DP is something unknown but showed up in my paper stacks and seemed to match!

Short post today as Jim's son is coming to do the old BBQ for him for Father's Day.  Of course, they sit outside and shoot the bull and thrown a slab of meat on the grill while I'm inside slaving away with all the stuff that has to go with it - plus entertaining the rest of the family and then cleaning everything up.  Sometimes these BBQ's just really aren't worth it! LOL!

Thanks for stopping by............
Lynn

Dear Old Dad

To all the dads out there - Happy Father's Day!

This is Norm (Art Impression Stamps) and he's going to be taking it easy and just relaxing on Father's Day.  I added the palm tree on this to kinda shade him from all those harmful sunshine rays - however, he looks a little like he's at the age where he could really care less! 

I'll enter this in the challenges at Art Impressions Stamps (Husband/Father), Cards for Men (Father's Day) and C.R.A.F.T. (Father's Day).

Very short post here - but did want to tell all the dads out there to have a great Father's Day and hope you have a wonderful day.

Thanks for stopping by.........and remember to KEEP SMILING!
Lynn

{Pin}spirational Challenge

My Shopping Our Stash post can be found below this one!

 Back again with a sensational {Pin}spirational Challenge for you!  Be sure and stop by the blog and check out all the inspiration from the DT and enter for your chance to WIN!

Not thinking out of the box at all on this one, when I saw the inspiration picture, I thought of seashells!!  Feature that!  LOL!  Ok, not a problem....except I didn't have any seashell images....until I remembered a set of very old SU images that my friend Kristin had given me!

I stamped some flourishes on the blue (still don't know why - but they're there now) and then stamped and cut out all the shells and the sea horses....now what to do with them........I remembered I had some very old loofah sponges and so I took some of the netting that they were wrapped in and cut off a piece to use for the "seine".  I then pulled off some of the sponge and added it along with a few pearls.  I distressed the edges a little and thought it made for a pretty cute card.  I didn't add a sentiment but will do so on the inside and think it'll be good for several occasions for the summer.

Aren't these shells so pretty.....makes me want to go to the beach!

I'll enter this in the challenge at Love to Create (Use something recycled)

Thanks for stopping by...........and check out the {Pin}spirational Challenge!
Lynn

Shopping Our Stash Challenge

What a great Tuesday - and it's time once again for a Shopping Our Stash challenge!!!  Get out all those ribbons or twine you've been hoarding or just forgotten you had and enter our challenge.  Our theme this week is Double the Ribbon - use at least two different ribbon/twine - or a combination of both!!!   Be sure and use up some of that "stash"!

If you're like me, you have WAY TOO MUCH ribbon (and twin)!  My husband started out building me these fabulous ribbon holders (brackets on the wall with a metal bar between them and removable knobs on the end - about 30 inches long) a while back.  We started out with three of them - and I said that was way too many but maybe someday I'd fill them up.............ok, a couple of months later he made one more for me.  Plenty!!!  NOT!  I'm up to six now (and really could use a couple more but hate to ask him again - plus I'm running out of wall space!!)  Anyway....you get the message.....I have too much ribbon...........

My card today is very simple using three pieces of ribbon that I've never used before.  I went with the purple and green.  Added a sentiment, layered the card stock, and it's compete.  A very quick and easy card - and I used up some ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by...........and be sure and stop by Shopping Our Stash and check out all the DT members wonderful creations - and enter your creation!
Lynn

CAS Butterflies

After my Funny Friday on Saturday (previous post), I thought calm things down a bit and do a "git 'er done" card using the Beautiful Wings butterfly die.   I'm really thinking I needed a couple more butterflies on here, but three is what you get.  Also, I tried to angle them a little but the glue stuck and when that stuff sticks, there's just no moving those babies!  I even did a little scoring on here - had to get the cobwebs off that thing!

I'll be back tomorrow with two posts for DT's - Shopping Our Stash and {Pin}spirational....so be sure and check back tomorrow if you get a chance.

I'll enter this in the challenges at Mark's Finest Papers (Black and White with a Splash of Color), Emergency Crafters (Butterflies, Birds or Anything with Wings), and Stampin for the Weekend (Birds and Butterflies).

Thanks for stopping by...........
Lynn

Getting Fit

Thought I'd throw a kink in everything and instead of giving you a Funny Friday, I'd do a Funny Saturday!

This is KO Kurt (Dude Time Doodles) and he's really looking like he's down to eyeballs and belt buckles. LOL!!   I'm thinking he needs to lay off the training for a while and start eating a little bit, but then again, I guess it's better than having a "paunch"!!!

Hubby LOVES to watch this program on television called UFC.....it's not really boxing and not wrestling.  About the only thing I could call it is two guys getting in this cage type thing and just literally beating the crap out of each other and then everyone is smiling and slapping each other on the back!  Totally disgusting if you ask me, but thought this would put a smile on his face. 

The challenge over at Art Impressions Stamps is themed Fitness, Workout, or Dieting.....and when I saw the challenge I just knew I had to do this card - so I'll enter this there!

Thanks for stopping by............and keep smiling!

Lynn

A Cart and a Dog

I DID IT!!!  I'm so excited!!  I've been reading about coloring with pencils on Kraft card stock and kept thinking I couldn't do that/it was going to look horrible/etc......Well, I finally tried it (guess you never know unless you try) and I really like the look of the colors on the Kraft!  Since this is the first time I've done it, I'm hoping I get better now.

The image is a new one ( SU hostess) from the set Summer Afternoon.  The sentiment is from Watercolor Trio.  Simply designed card but think it'll be good as a "mailer" - no ribbon or bulky stuff on here. The DP actually pretty well matches the purple flowers in the cart, but just couldn't get them to jive together in the photo.
I just noticed that it appears that cart it kinda rolling downhill!!  LOL!!  Think I'd better straighten that up before mailing it!

I'll enter this in the challenge at Paper Play Challenges (Back to Kraft Basics)

Thanks for stopping by........and hopefully I'll have another Funny Friday next week!  Hang in there with me on that....I'll get back in the groove soon!

Lynn

Creative Belli Challenge

Hope y'all aren't getting tired of me popping in the last couple of days! 

Today begins another challenge over at Creative Belli and what we'd like to see is Just A Sentiment!  Pretty easy, right - but just don't forget to use your old and forgotten embellishments.  Stop by the Creative Belli blog and enter your creation - and check all the wonderful inspiration from the DT.

My card turned out pretty simple (no, make that VERY simple) but I was able to get rid of some of these paper flowers I've had forever.  You very seldom see flowers on my cards - but today you get a BIG one!! LOL!  I didn't have a big white one to go behind the purple ones, so I embossed a piece of white card stock in Swiss Dots and punched out a scalloped circle.  I also embossed the purple with a Texturz plate.  The DP is some from SU that I haven't used in a long time and the sentiment is from SU.  I'm not real where this button came from....surely the buttons aren't back there breeding like the DP now!    LOL!  Scary thought!

Thanks for stopping by......and be sure and check out the Creative Belli Challenge.
Lynn

{Pin}spirational Challenge

Back AGAIN ------

School's out for most places around here and that means SUMMER!  When I looked at the inspiration photo from {Pin}spirational Challenges, that's what I saw - along with the green and blue dots of course!  So, basing my card on the photo, here's what I came up with........

  

I used several of the little flip flop images from Just Beachy (SU) and the sentiment is from MFP.  A little matting, dimension, embossing, and adding that spotted ribbon - and the card is complete - almost!  Of course I just had to had a tad of bling to that pair of flip flops in the center.   

Aren't these darling little outfits!   Love all the spots and stripes and those fun and summery looking colors!

I'll enter this in the challenge at The Paper Players (Summertime) and Our Craft Lounge (School's Out).

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR MY SHOPPING OUR STASH POST - IT'S DIRECTLY UNDER THIS ONE.

Come on over and join in on the fun at {Pin}spirational Challenge and see what you can create using our inspiration photo!  Who knows, you may even be the winner!!

Thanks for stopping by.................
Lynn

Shopping Our Stash Challenge

Well, I'm finally back!!  I actually was able to get in my "craft hole" some this weekend.  I finally just said "enough is enough already" and was able to have a nice quiet time in the "hole".  I didn't get a whole lot accomplished, but that's ok too!

It's time again for another challenge at Shopping Our Stash and our theme this week is Father's Day/Masculine.
Come on over and join in on the fun - just remember to use some of your stash that you haven't used in a while.  Check out the challenge blog and I know you'll be inspired by all the creations from the DT members!

I haven't used an image from my Noble Deer (SU) set in a while and I really do love this image.  About the only thing I colored on here was a slight tint to the cloud and the trees and grass - also did a little sponging.  I paired the image with some camo paper and New England Ivy (CTMH).  The New England Ivy is white core so embossing on it gave it a sanded look.  I added the twill tape and a DO-HICKEY!!  I don't know what you call these things other than maybe a ribbon holder, but DO-HICKEY kinda has a ring to it so that's what I call them!  LOL!!

I'll enter this in the challenges at Di's Digi Designs (Male Inspired), Love to Create (Father's Day or Special Man), and Lexi's Creations (Father or Man/Boy in our Life).

Come on over to Shopping Our Stash and show us your Father's Day or Masculine creation!

Thanks for stopping by.............
Lynn