A wee bit early.

So as previously stated,I am all about making thank you cards lately and having to come up with cute little sentiments isn't always easy! I'm sure you've all seen this saying before, however for me, in my world, it is very original.....................so give me and my sleep deprived mind some credit!! LOL
I made this card for Fairy Fun Fridays hosted by the Prairie Fairy and of course I used one of her adorable images called Lenny the Lion. He can be purchased at her store here. The theme over at FFF week #13 (starting April 2) is texture & as you can see I added sand paper to my card. Yup the large circle in the background is sand paper material! Cool hey?

I am also entering this card in Friday Sketchers (sketch) & Cards for Men (humour).

I had to post this card today as we are going to the big city tomorrow for grocery shopping. This is an all day affair for us, as it involves driving 1.5 hrs one way there, shopping at various stores throughout the day, eating lunch and driving home & unpacking...............WITH THREE KIDS!! Makes for a very interestingly long day!! Wish me luck!

Keep on Keepin' on!

I am soooooooo keeping up with these thank you cards, I amaze myself sometimes!!
I got this image from the Prairie Fairy & simply could not wait to use it. He is called Lil Gerry Giraffe and honestly I don't even know if he is in her Prairie Fairy Digital Design store yet?!! I'll have to find out............Regardless, it will be there soon & you can purchase lots of other images there as well.

I am entering my card in the Card Patterns Challenge (sketch), even though I did a little flip/flop of the layout, I think it all worked out in the end. As well I am entering it in the Digitial Tuesday Challenge (Scrap it), where I used my one & only piece of fancy colored ribbon !

It was so super nice out today, I was able to sit outside with my 3 week old, while my 2 yr old ran a muck of the backyard! AND BBQ!!! MMmmmmmmmmmm........yummy! I just can't wait for summer!! See you all tomorrow!

SHUT UP---- Another thank you!!

Here's another thank you card ! I was so excited to use the sketch from The Pink Elephant Challenge that I awoke this morning all ready to post this card, only to find out that the theme HAS CHANGED! Doh!!! I hate when that happens!! Regardless, here's my card with an image from the Prairie Fairy Digital Designs store called Lazy Boxer Beary.

On a brighter note, I am able to enter this card in the Fab'n'Funky challenge (favourite technique) for which I used the stitching around the edge! Although I don't use this technique very often, I find that when I do, I just love how it turns out! Also, just realized that the challenge at Cute Daisy May is 'for the boys', so thought this Lazy Bear might fit in!

Cheers to Monday, the beginning of spring break for us! YAY!!

Thank you!

The good news is I have started my thank yous for all the nice people who have given gifts to my new babe! The bad news is it took me 2 days! Oh well. Slow & steady wins the race!

The image is from Prairie Fairy Designs & is called Honey Beary (can be purchased individually or as a set of 3).

The sketch is MOJO Monday.

The card ended up being larger than anticipated, but hey what's life without variety.

Hope everyone has a good Sunday. The weather is nice here today and I am hoping to spend sometime outside! (or maybe just making more cards)!!

Two different cards, two different challenges

So far my day has started off great. My hubby let me sleep in, I went over to Prairie Fairy's house to make perogies & returned home to 2 happily napping boys! God love my husband!! Aside from this sinus, upper chest congestion with nagging cough, everything else seems to be going fairly well. Merik (my newest babe) slept from 10 pm last night until 3 am, then until 6:30 am!! So we definitely got some good rest in! Plus hubby letting me sleep until 8:30 helped too!!

This first baby card is for The Stampin Vacation Challenge- Pick 3. I chose 1. a ribbon with words on it (difficult to see but it says 'friendship') 2. newspaper as a background layer (it is actually from a magazine-hope that works) 3. & the colors pink, green & yellow. The baby image is from a CTMH called "Baby Miracles" and the wording from the magazine describe various techniques to use on a baby....eg: massage, respecting limits etc. The friendship ribbon speaks for itself.............we must all be friends with our children! This card is going to be for a friend of min who is having a baby girl in June!

The second card here is for Fab's Big Christmas Cards Challenge- Word Confetti with Wide Matting. I love the quick, easy & fun aspect of this card. I am getting alot of Christmas done lately..........stay tuned for more!

Dont fret, I did not do both these cards today. I have been working on them a bit here and there. My plan today is not only to complete some challenge cards but also to stay on top of more birthday cards needed & to start making some thank you cards for all the people who have been so kind as to drop off gifts for baby Merik and family. What do u think I'll get done.....probly just get set up and the kidlets will awaken! Oh well! The joys of motherhood!

See you again soon!! Thanks for stopping by!

Easle Card

Well, this is my first attempt at an easle card & low and behold it is for the Fairy Fun Friday Challenge.
The image is by the Prairie Fairy and is called Honey Beary & can be purchased here. When I saw this new release I knew I just had to have it in order to make a housewarming card for a new neighbor. These first 2 photos are of the outside of the card...............

And the picture below is on the inside of the card. I also wrote a little something on the inside, after I snapped these photos. "Congrats on your new pad" was what I wrote.

As mentioned above, the easle card is for Fairy Fun Fridays as well as for Cute Card Thursday (dimensions). The housewarming intention is for the challenge at Die Cut Dreams (new beginnings).

I am sorry if this post seems rambly or non-sensible, however I have been awake since 5:30 am thanks to my new wee baby (God bless his heart)! We are hoping for a sleep filled night tonight!! Take Care all!

Spring or Easter.........you choose.

It's Springtime & almost Easter ! Wow.....time sure is flying. I made this card a while back & was waiting for the perfect opportunity to use it. Looks like that time is now. The image is from Prairie Fairy Designs & is called Bo Billy Bunny. The sketch is from my own mind.....frightening I know!
The paper is misc. from Scrapaganza...............in fact, the whole card is Miscellaneous! From brads to flowers to ribbon.....to dragonfly to computer generated sentiment!

I am entering this card in Digital Tuesdays (Happy Spring), Our Creative Corner (Think Easter), Stampin for the Weekend (Easter), Stamp with Fun (Easter), Crafty Cardmakers (Spring into Spring), Crafty Catz (Spring), Charisma Cardz (Spring has Sprung) & Magical Crafts (Spring Easter).

I must go now, hubby is finished feeding my freshly bathed baby (who has been crying on & off for about 1 hr now)...........hopefully all that crying helps him sleep tonight!!

Til tomorrow my friends!!!

Christmas AGAIN! GEESH!

This one is for Susie & Vikki's Christmas Club Challenge (Baubles). The baubles on my card are actually stickers that peel off the design & perimeter, leaving the inside blank. So I colored the inside with some glittery markers and added a few gold stars for effect. The sentiment is from Stampin Up. Nice & simple ! Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!

It's another birthday card.

Remember...... I must make more birthday cards. So here's another. The image is from Prairie Fairy Designs (Digital Stamps) & is called Little Miss Mousy.

I colored her with Stampin up markers and watercolor pencil crayons for the grass. I added crystal effects to her nose, flower centers and shoes. The sentiment is from Stampin Up as is the punch used to shape it. The layout is (my favorite) a Card Patterns sketch . Stay tuned for more birthday cards to come.

In the Garden

My latest creation is this beautiful image from the Prairie Fairy. It is called In the Garden & can be purchased here.

The other day when my mom called and asked me for a birthday card, I realized I did not have very many, so I am on a mission to make as may birthday cards as possible. Here's my first.

I colored the image with watercolor pencils, blending stumps & baby oil (still my favorite technique) & the sentiment is from stampin up.

The sketch is from Delightful Sketches and the colors of the card allow me to enter it into All Sorts Challenge (spring is in the air), The Pink Elephant (spring) & Rosie D's Challenge (yellow, green & white).

Hope everyone has a good Monday!

Stamp Happens

I made this card last night while my 8 yr old was at a friends house, my 2 yr old was asleep and my 2 week old was napping. Yup, hubby & I got a bit of quiet time, but not for cuddling....haha....rather for card making (on my part)!

Yesterday I recieved my stamp set from Stamp Happens (see below) in the mail, and was just DYING to use it. I won this set of stamps from them after being randomly chosen at the Delightful Sketches Challenge blog! The set is soooooooooooo cute, & the rubber image stamps so smooth & even!

After checking my challenges, I noticed a couple I could enter this card in, however, did not get a chance to enter it into A Spoon Full of Sugar (Pink, Black & White) as by the time I finished the card, it was late & I HAD to get to bed. So I thought I would enter it this morning.................NOT! New challenge is on today! DANG! Regardless, the other challenges I prepared this card for are Dutch Dare Challenge (color inspiration- see pic of T-shirt), Charisma Card Challenge (something for kids) , & the sketch from Friday Sketchers .

I colored my girl with watercolor pencils, blending stumps & baby oil. All the papers are misc., as are the button brads & prima flowers. I used a CTMH stamp set called Butterfly Wings for the butterflies & swirls. I also thought it was about time to get out the handy dandy mini-sewing machine for the border of the black paper! I tiny bit of distressing and VOILA.....almost a masterpiece!

Wow- Alot going on here!!

Wow .............is the key word here!
Wow, it took me an entire day to do one card, and as hubby said, that was having him home. Between sickly children (& sickly husband), meals, laundry, homework, & housecleaning......I was actually able to finish a card!
Wow, lucky for me, it can be used in various challenges~~~
Wow, all 3 kids are asleep!
Wow, 2nd week in a row I have been able to keep up to the Fairy Fun Friday's Challenge Blog (complimentary colors of Red & Green) since having my baby on March 6!!
Just WOW!

So here we have an image from The Prairie Fairy called Little Birdie, and although you may be thinking I am crazy for making a Christmas Card in March.......rest assured, I am getting enough sleep with a newborn, 2 yr old & 8 yr old in the house, this is just another card for the ABC Christmas Challenge Blog (as well as other challenges listed below)

Paper- misc.

Ribbon- misc.

Colored with watercolor pencils and blender pens.

Cuttlebugged image of snowman & Winter words.

Stampin Up punches for sentiment & edge of paper.

Glitter, crystal effects & never before used teardrop bling to/around snowman.

Challenges include:

Fairy Fun Fridays- complimentary colors (Re & Green)

MoJo Monday- sketch
Die Cut Dreams- use at least 2 punches

Pollycraft Mondays- sparkly things

Creative Card Crew- going dotty

Digital Tuesday- lots of green (or St. Patricks Day)

Your Next Stamp Challenge- distressing

Fab'N' Funky Challenge- use something new

ABC Christmas Challenge- F for frosty

Cards for Men

This card holds a special place in my heart. I started this card the Thursday before my last official Dr.'s appointment (pre baby); and I then got a chance to finish it on the day my son was born. Before contractions started every 3-5 minutes, I was able to finish off this birthday card for my nephew AND organize my scrap papers! Then off to the city to have my beautiful baby boy!

I am entering this card in the Cards for Men (Happy Birthday) as my on-line digi boss is the sponsor this week! That would be the Prairie Fairy. Unfortunately I am not using one of her images, rather I opted to go "all boy" with this stamp from Stampin Up called Extreme Dirtbike. The layout of the card is from Die Cut Dreams (for March 1).....so unfortunately I did not get a chance to enter that challenge; however, still love the layout!

All the paper is misc. from Scrapaganza. The ribbon is Stampin Up as is the little clip at the top! I sure hope my nephew likes this card since he is an extremist!

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Just a note to wish you all a good day of green beer and ice cream!
No card, yet, maybe later!

Happy Anniversary!

This card I made for my hubby for our 8 yr anniversary. We have been together for 8 yrs, however only got married in 2007. We like to think of this wknd as OUR wknd. We met for the first time, face to face, on this wknd in 2002. This wknd is the annual Ice Fishing Derby in my hometown. He picked me up and we went looking at all the fishing shacks on the river.
The sentiment I printed on the computer & signifies the fact that we actually met on line. Yup on the computer in a local chat room. He private messaged me for a conversation and that was the end of that! He pressed ENTER and our lives changed forever! We did not exchange personal information until a few months of pleasant conversation. Turns out we only lived 40 minutes from each other the whole time!

I used the image from Prairie Fairy Digital Stamps called Roopid. I used a sketch from the Sweet Stop Sketch Challeng Blog WAY BACK. I never got a chance to enter this card as it would have ruined the surprise! O well.

We will be going to the big city tomorrow for newborn/family pics of our new little one and then going out for dinner!

Love you honey!! You are the best!

First card since baby....6 days ago

Well, it's been 6 whole days since I have done any card making & thought it was about time I did something (while the newborn sleeps & the toddler watches cartoons). Granted it took a few hours to complete this card between toddler & baby napping, lunch, laundry and feeds......I just knew I HAD to complete this card for Fairy Fun Fridays. You see the Prairie Fairy did so much for me, what with being my birthing coach and all, the least I could do is TRY my darndest to complete her challenge card (being an honorary DT member and all). This one's for you Bert!!

This image is from the Prairie Fairy Digital Stamp line & it is called Ballerina. I dressed her in tissue paper as the challenge at Fairy Fun Fridays is just that.........Tissue Paper. I feel like I am back at Susies Sassy Challenge last week where the colors were Lilac & Aqua; yet, somehow, that's just how this card came together......

I used the sketch from Friday's Sketchers this week, as well as the theme from Dare-U-2-Digi which is NO PATTERNED PAPER. Don't let the blue and purple swirled paper fool you, it is actually plain white paper spiced up with the Shaving Cream technique that can be found at Splitcoaststampers.com under resources. (the shaving cream makes the paper smell real nice too). Other challenges for this card include Charisma Card Challenge of beautiful butterflies, Cute Card Thursday of celebrations (for my friends baby- she's having a baby girl any day now), & Die Cut Dreams of no flowers allowed.

Hope everyone has a good wknd.

NEW BABY!

I am sorry to say that I have been MIA as of late due to the fast and furious anticipated arrival of the newest addition to our family.
On March 6, 2010 at 8:34 pm we welcomed our son Merik Ryan Max into our family, making us a family of 5. He weighed 9 lbs 5 oz & measured 21" long. That's his picture on the top of my blog, taken in hospital. Yes, I gave birth to a 1 month old! Can you say OUCH!
My labour coach, Roberta (aka-Prairie Fairy) & my husband were there for me, however, Roberta endured the brunt of the dirty work while hubby waited just beyond the curtain. She dealt with my swearing, cussing, pinching & squeezing..........and before you knew it........in a matter of 34 minutes, out my son came!
Hubby & I are trying adjust to the new baby routine while watching over our ever mischevious toddler (Reade). Our daughter is pretty easy to get along with as she has seen this 'baby thing' before when her brother Reade was born 2 yrs ago.
I hope to post a card sometime in the near future, so please stay tuned!!

(2nd post)- see below for first post for today.......

...........and my second post for today is for a number of different challenges, most of which want to see the color green used. The image is from Prairie Fairy Designs & is called Tippy Toe Fairy. This is my DT card for Fairy Fun Fridays where the theme is to 'include green' on your card. Come check out this challenge blog for a chance to win this beautiful image & many others!!!

I made this card a few weeks ago while at a scrapbooking day with the girls & I have been waiting for the prime opportunity to launch her out!! Looks like this is it!!

I colored this image with chalk ( for skin tone), watercolor markers & blender pens (for the rest) (pre baby oil & stumps technique), & I think she turned out pretty good. I added sparkles to her wings & dress. I used a sketch from Sketch Saturday- but like I said, this was a while ago, so I never got a chance to enter that challenge. Which is totally fine, as a great sketch is the only place to start!!!

The sentiment is SU and thought it fit perfectly. I played around with the flowers for a bit & settled on what you see here, including the one in her hair! A fine choice ! I was pleased as punch when this card was done & was super excited to share it with all of you! FINALLY!

Other challenges for this card are:

Cute Card Thursday-Lucky Green -using primarily green (hope this is enough)

Charisma Card Challenge- Fairies

Pink Elephant- Add green

Fairy Fun (Prairie Fairy) Fridays- Include green

All Sorts Challenge- Card for mom

(1st post) Couple posts for today- heck may as well................

...........it's not like I'm trying to have a baby here!!! lol

This card is to celebrate the birth of my baby boy! (WHO'S NOT HERE YET!) The image is from Prairie Fairy Design online store & is called Martian Men (he is one of three). I just bought the cuttlebug embossing folders for the whole baby boy theme & was wanting to use it REAL bad so I put this card together. Now that I look at it, I think, 'kinda creepy' - martian man for baby boy arrival!! Teehee!! O well!! That's me, thinking outside the box!

I am entering this card in Friday sketchers (sketch), Pollycraft Mondays (distressing) & Delightful Sketches (kids theme).
I colored my Martian with SU markers. The DP paper is CTMH and brads are misc. Plain, simple, easy!

Here's to hoping my son makes his appearance soon!!

Oi-Yoi-yoi!!

Well, here I sit...............9 pm. Not 1 am like this morning when I could not sleep to save my life!! Perhaps that will happen again tonight, who knows. Maybe I'll just go into labour?!! Who the heck knows anymore!!

Anyways, it's 9 pm & I have a new post for ya! This is a gate fold card for Dutch Dare Challenge #72. I absolutely love gate fold cards, but don't make too many, unfortunately. So when these challenges present themselves, I must take advantage!

The stamp set I used is from CTMH called Makin' Waves & the reason I chose this stamp set is so that I could easily paper piece it together! This is my first attempt at Paper Piecing & I did so in an attempt to keep up with the Cards for Men Challenge blog. In fact, you wanna hear something funny.............I am so unfamiliar with this technique that I was actually referring to it as Paper Piercing.........up until I re-looked at the Challenge blog moments ago! What a goof ball I am!!

So as I said, never done this before................can you tell by the rough edges of my ducky!! Gawd!! How awful! O, well, how else am I going to learn right!?!?!?

I was thinking of making this as invitations for my daughter's b-day coming up in April, as she really wants to go to the local hotel & swim in the pool (of course there will only be like 4 people invited so don't go thinking I am whipping up 12 of these puppies.....I don't think so- LOL). We'll see what her thoughts are!

Thanks for all the kind comments on previous cards especially on Prairie Fairy's b-day card. And thanks to those of you who also wished her best wishes. I know she really appreciates it!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRAIRIE FAIRY !

It's March 3rd & it is my BFF's birthday! She is 29 & holding! God love her! If we could all stay 29 forever!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBERTA!!!!!!

I made her a very special card using a new technique I spotted on Lorraine's blog (coldwaters2). I saw the techniqe (Side Step Card) & simply had to give it a try. Granted my measurements are WAY off & I don't have a scorer, the overall outcome did not turn out too, too bad!

I used one of Roberta's very own images called Prima Ballerina! I colored her with watercolor pencils, baby oil & blending stumps; and crystal effected her (that's the only thing that would adhere) to the versamarked & glittery orange stamped inner lining of the flower frame (did that just make sense or is it that I should really be sleeping at 1:50 am)!!

The flower frame is misc. and I have had it around for ages. I was just dying to use it!! The steps on the side of the card (as you can see) are other misc. 'do dads'. A happy birthday scallop punch (stamp & punch) both from SU, an embossed butterfly from another SU set (punched with another SU punch) with wire attached to resemble antennas and a flower from Micheals!

The result!! My dancing ballerina birthday girl for a very special friend.

Just a bit of history here. Roberta is my neighbor 'cross the street. We live at #4 Cherry & her and her family live at #9 Cherry. She befriended me when we first moved here in 2005 and has literally been a god-send. Aside from being a great person, she has become the apitimy of what a BFF is. She watches my kids when I am in a pinch, she helps me rearrange my house at the last minute, she is a coffee/cardmaking buddy, she is my hairdresser, she lends me her shoulder to cry on, she lets me hang at her house when I need a family escape plan and she listens! (O ya and any day now she is going to be my labour coach---if that's not love, I dunno what is!!!! ). If there is anything anyone needs at ANY time, Roberta is the one to help out. She is talented, selfless, hardworking & genuine! Definitely one of a kind & someone you always want on your side! I love you, Bert. I hope all your wishes come true!!!

Challenges:

Charisma Cardz Challenge (birthday card with a twist-must have a candle)

Creative Card Crew (Celebrations)

Digitial Tuesday challenge - scallops

Girly Christmas

First things first. No baby yet. Gone is February and into March we come! Soon we'll be welcoming our son into this world. And in case you missed the top post, the Prairie Fairy is having a Celebration Sale at her online digital stamp store site to comemorate the event (yes, the event of my babe's birth). The sale is in effect UNTIL I GIVE BIRTH. See above for details!

Onto my card. I made this card for Susie & Vikki's Christmas Challenge (Girly Christmas). I borrowed this stamped image from Kelly (Kelly's Kreative Korner) when we had a girls night a few weeks ago! I can't recall the little girls name, so if you could help me out Kelly, that would be great!!

The pattern for my card is from the Card Patterns (sketch #53)- Have I ever mentioned how much I just LOVE their sketches?!?!?!?! Well I DO!!!!

The DP paper is from CTMH as is the Organza ribbon. I added some crystal effects to her hat, ribbon & coat edge (I think I'm addicted to that stuff!), glitter to the snowflakes & liquid applique to her hand wrap........to spice her up. The scallop sentiment (on the circle) is from the SU set called so many scallops. I clear embossed it & am now thinking I should have white embossed it! O well! I colored my girl with watercolor pencils, baby oil & blending stumps with a touch of markers for her pants.

Hope you all have a great Tuesday!