Damages

Thought I would show some pics of the damage to the Jeep. WIth all the mud, it's hard to see some it, but trust me when I tell you that it's beat up pretty bad.

This is the driver's side, the mirror is hanging down, the front grill is in pieces, and the windshield is cracked to high heaven.

The front doors don't open at all, which means that the frame is likely bent.

Here is the passenger side of the car. Same situation with the mirror and door.

What you can't see is that the back side glass is broken and the roof is caved in partially. And, to think he walked away from it (up that steep hill) is indeed a miracle.

In this shot, you can see just how mushy this mud really is. You just sink right down into it.

Here is another view of the ride down, yikes!

There are sacrifices we all make to live where we want to live, unfortunately, this is one of ours. It's a blessing and a curse at the same time.

Peekaboo SSS45

This is my final week as February's Guest Sugar Baby for the Sweet Stop Sketches blog. It has been alot of fun and I appreciate the opportunity to design for them. I switched the sketch up a bit, couldn't get everything to fit where I wanted it.

I used Peek-a-boo Cocoa for my card today, you can get him here. Once I sized him, I was able to use my square nesties to cut him out. I airbrushed the sky when I completed coloring just by leaving the die template in place. The nesties square mat is a SVG file that I got here. She has all the new shapes, plus tons of others. And, she shares them for free. The birdhouse is from the SCAL Forum and is credited to Nichole Heady.

I used some great Cosmo Cricket paper from the Early Bird pack, loving the colors and patterns they have.

If you upload your card using this sketch, use the keyword SSS45 and link it to the Sweet Stop Sketches blog so we can take a look and leave you some love.

Thanks again to Korin and Nancy!

Fly Away

I received Buggy Sayings a few weeks ago and am in love with this little bee. Although I don't like getting stung by the little buggers, I have to say that bees are special.

A few years ago, we learned about the plight of the honey bee and I have been a planting fool ever since. They really are diminishing in number and it's up to us to help them out. There are several articles describing what is happening to them, I encourage you to check 'em out.

The tulip border is one I grabbed off the SCAL Forum, it's so pretty. Cody helped by gluing the tulip heads on. I decided on some soft spring colors, no big surprise there.

Here is a picture of the muddy mess I call my driveway. I'm not sure you can tell by the photo, but we have about a 60 degree incline.

We have red clay as our base, and it is slick when it gets wet. We've had a very wet winter and the drive just hasn't had a chance to dry out. You can see the ruts and let me tell you that when you drive on them, they just kinda push you around.
You can also see the Jeep on the right in the distance. We were able to get it moved yesterday and now we can safely pass. I've left my Jeep parked at the bottom so I don't have to drive on it.
I keep joking that the silver lining to all this is that with all the walking to and from the car, perhaps I'll lose weight.

Love Me Do MTSC62

I made this for Mercy's Tuesday sketch challenge, MTSC62. I also used some fun new papers from My Mind's Eye called Love Me Do. I recently indulged on some Verve stamps and broke out the Up, Up and Away set since it matched my papers so well.

All the elements were cut out using my Cricut Expression and the SCAL software program. The scallop circle shape is from Penny Duncan and the double loop border can be found on the SCAL Forum. I was able to make the circle shape myself. *wink*

Please say a big prayer for my family. Duke rolled our Jeep down the driveway yesterday morning. He seems to be fine, obviously very sore from all the bouncing around. But, the bad news is that while we have another car, it is unable to make it on the terrain. With all the rain we've gotten, the red clay is very slippery mud that ruts out and makes it impossible to pass without a 4-wheel drive. We only had liability insurance since it's an older vehicle and we don't have the money to go get another car. Since he's unemployed at the current time, I refuse to go into debt. We're looking into other options, such as a motor for his son's vehicle, but they are hard to find. In the meantime, we could use prayers for his health and that we figure something out soon.

Love and Loss

Allison designed this super cool set, it's called Broken Hearts for Broken Hearts. I picked it up as soon as she mentioned it and was just now able to get something put together. I love that she has some snarky sentiments and quotes, not your typical stuff.

Still using up some October Afternoon papers, good stuff.

Well, it's supposed to keep raining today and then turn to snow. I tell you, I don't think this winter will ever end!

A Future Filled With Hope

We all hate making these kinds of cards, but still, it must be done. I think that less is more in these situations, don't you? I just hope kraft cardstock is not too informal.

The sentiment is part of the Believe Scripture set and the flower is from the Friendly Flowers set. I just stamped the flower with Vintage Cream pigment ink right over the sentiment.

The dp is Cosmo Cricket Early Bird and I have to say that it is fabulous paper, might even be my favorite. The ovals are SVG files I got here, it's so wonderful that she shares freely. Other than that, this card is about as simple as it gets for me.

Tea Party

Isn't she a cutie?! I've only used her one other time, hard to believe. I paired her up with some colorful October Afternoon papers.

We had an uneventful weekend, but it was nice to see the sun! I am helping to cheer myself up by using semi-bright papers and focusing on some spring projects.

Thanks a Bunch SSS44

This is my third week as February's Guest Sugar Baby for the Sweet Stop Sketches blog. This week, it a sketch with a spin- the spin is to use flowers. Again, a tricky sketch; I tell ya, these scare me bad. But, it's nice to break out of my comfort zone from time to time.

I used my Cricut for the scalloped squares, squares, and flowers. I took my colors from the papers I used, it's hard to see, but even it has flowers. The sentiment is from PTI's Floral Frenzy set, just accented with a bit of ribbon.

Apple Mojo

I made this for this week's Mojo Monday sketch, MOJO126. Great sketch with tons of layers, something I would not have come up with on my own.

I used a few designer papers from my scrap pile, glad to be cutting those down. I also used a great set that I haven't used in a while, Apples to Apples. I think after fall passes, I forget about these somewhat seasonal sets. Of course, this one has sentiments and images that can be used all year long.

Hoping for a weekend with some sunshine, it's been so scarce here.

A Sheltering Tree

I used last week's Mojo Monday sketch, MOJO125 for the layout of the card and papers from Basic Grey Origins. Instead of the extra panel at the bottom, I opted for some flat back pearls.

The sentiment is from Nature's Song. I normally shy away from sketches with weird shapes, but I managed to figure out how to cut it with my Cricut. I am so glad I invested in one.

No Stamping Mail Time

This is a fun template from My Time Made Easy, it's called You've Got Mail. It looks intimidating, but it was a snap to put together. No stamping on this, can you believe it?

I packaged Duke's Valentine's Day gift in this beauty, he got a bottle of cologne. Admittedly, I didn't put many embellies on this, he considers himself a manly man and doesn't care much for the frou frou. I think the paper addds just enough color and texture, but doesn't overwhelm.

Fudge

This is an image I got from here, she has lots of fun ones. I think this one is perfect for a belated theme. I added a ton of stickles to her dress 'cause she's fancy like that!

I used some soft colors and papers, I really wanted that image and her dress to stand out.

My First Vinyl Experience

First, I want to show you what my man got me for Valentine's Day, this wonderful arrangement of tulips. They are so lovely and are just opening up beautifully! Aren't they gorgeous?!

Forgive the bad photo, but here is a shirt I made with an SVG file found on the SCAL Forum. This is a belated Christmas gift for one of my co-workers, she's a big fan of Twilight like me.

I purchased the heat transfer vinyl from Ebay, it's not cheap and I was so scared to use it. But, this went on very easily even though I had to iron it a few times for some of those small pieces. In hindsight, I should have chosen a white shirt with black vinyl; overall, I am pleased with it and she was too.

Secret Admirer

Within the PMS family, I signed up for a Secret Admirer swap of sorts. The premise was to buy goodies, make a few cards and altered items, then send it out.

Shaela, one of the PMS illustrators, was given my name and these are all the fabulous goodies packed into the box she sent me. There are some sheets of yummy American Crafts papers, some bling and ribbon, and two gorgeous cards. She also made a book from chipboard to hold all my wishes, it's beautiful and is made with gorgeous Cosmo Crickets papers. Rounding out the package are some Lindor Truffles!

Thanks so much Shaela!! I can't wait to start using all this fun stuff!!!

I Heart You

It's Saturday, so that means it's time for another sketch challenge from The Sweet Stop, SSS43. It's my second week as February's Guest Sugar Baby.

Sketches like this scare me, the whole oval and scallop shape at the top of the card. Seems like I never get them right. But, I fiddled with some shapes on my handy dandy Cricut and voila!

The image is from The Angel Company, although I don't remember the name. Isn't she precious?! And, she's alot of fun to color.

The papers are from Paper Trey Ink and K&Co. I love the Carolyn Gavin paper pad, such fun and funky designs with some unusual color combos. The ribbon is Martha Stewart, received from Amy as an RAK and tied with the Bow Easy.

Carton of Love

Today's Makeup for the Weekend challenger is Dawn B; she wants us (and YOU) to make a treat box or holder.

This is the last milk carton box for a bit, promise.

The heart punches were stamped with some of the images from the Hugs and Kisses set, I love that set! Then, I just slathered on some stickles for a bit of sparkle.

If you decide to play along, please use the keyword M4TW16 when you upload to your blog or any public gallery. Also, make sure you link it up on the PMS blog so we can all take a look see.

Wanna Rock?

This is a very special image, made for a very special reason. You can read about it here.

I found some colorful, funky papers in the Basic Grey Sugar Rush paper pad. I love the designs in this stack as well as all those fun colors. Don't you love her purple hair? I added some crystal effects to the water droplets for a little extra dimension and shine.

Please find it in your heart and your pocketbook to help out this family. We've all suffered hardships in our lives and this is an inexpensive way to help. You can go here to see what is being offered.

I have a card featured here in an article about using non-traditional colors for a Valentine's Day card. Thanks Michelle! It's #10 in the slide show.

Spring Sprig

I used some fun papers from K&Co, designed by Carolyn Gavin. The prints I used here are the front and back of one of the sheets. This super cute bird is part of a clear set from Stampabilites that I got from HL a few months back. I am so stinking ready for spring, what about you?!

I went with a super simple layout with stuff that was still sitting on my crafting table. I'm a clean as you go gal, so it's rare that anything is sitting out. So, I took the opporunity to just roll with it. The card took all of 5 minutes since all the papers were out and the image had aready been colored.

Katie has an awesome new charity digi stamp and the first peek at it is today. Head on over to the PMS blog to see it.

Re"Think"

Going with the PMS one year anniversary, we were recently challenged to Re"Think" our very first card using Paper Makeup Stamps.

This is not only my first card, but one I submitted to be considered for a position on the Paper Makeup Design Team. This one is very soft and subtle, and I used one of the iconic images in the store, Swirlie Tree for the background flourishes.

This one uses bright colors, love those bright colors. Especially since the weather has been so dreary this winter. I, again, used a quote and Swirlie Tree, and the same basic layout.

The dp is from October Afternoon's Farm Fresh, fun colors and a great match for the flower punch. The lattice border is a SVG file I downloaded from the SCAL Forum, I love it. The flowers were attached using liquid glue and then some pearl accents were added as centers. The final touch was some homey gingham ribbon.

Although I liked my first card, this redo makes me smile; the colors are so cheery.

Pretty in Pastels

I used an SVG file from here for the mini milk carton and carrier; these milk cartons are about the size of the Stampin' Up die. Very tiny, but very cute.

I just used some dp to make the cartons themselves and then some heavy cardstock for the carrier. It was a tight fit when I used heavy cardstock for the milk cartons. I opted for a mini clothespin closure as well.

The image is from Nature's Song, just stamped in coordinating colors and punched out. Lastly, just a little ribbon around the carrier and a leaf frond punch behind the image.

Still have to fill these, they are going to my friend's children for Valentine's Day. Quite possibly, I will have one more of these to show you this week and that may be it for a bit. I know you must be sick of them.

Yup, I'm a Sugar Baby!

Woot! I was asked to be February's Guest Sugar Baby for the Sweet Stop Sketches blog. I almost always participate in their sketch challenges, the sketches are wonderful. Thanks for the opportunity Korin and Nancy!


This week's sketch is a circle. I cut the card base as well as the corresponding layers with my Cricut. I find it amazing that so many of the Nesties shapes and borders are available in SVG form. The SCAL forum is full of freebies from generous artists.

Ok, back to the card. The kraft card base is circular, the orange layer is a blossom cut. The K&Co. dp is so full of super colors and fun patterns. I finished it with some flat back pearls and a flower punch with dew drop centers.

I hope you can find some time to sample this sketch, just use the keyword SSS42 when uploading to any public gallery. Then, link it up to the Sweet Stop Sketches blog so we can all admire your work.

Heartfelt Thanks, M4TW15

Today's Makeup for the Weekend challenger is Danni. She has challenged us (and YOU) to make a card or project that is pink and sparkly! Very easy challenge for me and probably for you too!!

I am still hooked on making these mini milk carton boxes, thankfully my Cricut does all the hard work.

For the hearts, I just liberally squeezed on some Stickles. For the sentiment panel, I dabbed the circle onto a VersaMark pad and then sprinkled on some Heat & Stick powder. Once I melted that with a heat gun, I sprinkled on some Dazzling Diamonds and again used the heat gun to set. I will say that it is so sparkly and wonderful IRL. I used a large pop dot to adhere the sentiment to the scalloped circle. It looks kinda wonky in the photo, but it's not.

I then covered the box and the clip with some SEI paper and some gorgeous Martha ribbon from Amy.

We do hope that you find time to play along with us this week. Just remember to use the keyword M4TW15 when you upload to any public gallery. Paper Makeup Stamps aren't required to participate, but if you have them, we'd love to see them. Be sure to link up your creation to the PMS blog so we can comment on it.