PaperTake Weekly--Anything Goes

Smack me in the head Batman, it's another card for a challenge....lol...Happy Thursday peeps...just think, one day closer to the weekend...not that matters here, just means more work to do with Hubby home....I tell ya, I have been working on redoing our landscape in the flower beds...been digging plants up and relocating them to other beds...trying to get that curb appeal thing going on again...lol...not to mention, that they have just gotten to big for the places I had them planted in....this is what I have been doing these past couple of months (not to mention, taken the master bedroom's closet apart)....at the same time I had decided to truly do the "DIET" thing once again....and really apply myself...so far it's been working...I have gone down 2 sizes in my clothes and it feels great....I was watching an infomercial one morning after work and it totally motivated me...it was the Zumba Training one...have you seen it? Know about this program? I have been reading and talking to others about this and they totally are in love with it....I have yet to get the DVD's or sign up for a class, but I have checked out some DVD's from the library and like them.... *********************

I want to thank everyone that has asked and wondered how I've been doing....you all make me smile...thank you...and that really is something I've needed for a time now..... ***************************

I guess when one gets to what we think is middle age, then you look at life through different glasses....re-evaluating everything....kwim??? And my health right now is a priority...you know, the most important thing to oneself, but tends to get shoved aside in the everyday hustle and bustle of what we call life...a few months back, things were done and said that really made me WAKE UP!!! So this is the first part of me waking up...lol....so to speak...

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I have missed everyone here (more than you really can know)...and have truly missed being creative....in here that is....lol...although I have been doing research on backyard designs...and in my design that I came up with is a little section that I have designated for a (pirate/beach theme ) mini-golf pad(s)...I know, I know....but I believe that everyone will have some great times playing this all year.... I'm looking to make one that you would find when on vacation...with all the bells and whistles...sound like fun?!!! Lol..

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Anywhoo, I've talked your ears off....sorry about that....Here's my entry into this weeks challenge over at PTW anything goes plus one....hop on over and play along this week....ENJOY!!!!!

I truly am sorry about the photo...Me, camera and white spaces are like oil and water...lol...I used a rubber stamp from Kraftin Kimmie (Drucilla)...ain't she perdy....she actually is holding a pin in her right hand, but it got cut off....I used the felt flower roll and pearls from Queen and Co, Prima flower, Cosmo Cricket alpha stickers with stickles and tulle...the finished size is 4 1/2"...

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Well blogland...I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend ahead...and thanks again for all your thoughts....Hugs from a very sunny and hot Charm City....

Kraftin Kimmie Challenge #23

Happy sunny Monday. I hope everyone else is having a lovely sunny spring day as ours has started out being. It's suppose to be in the 80's today and sunny..a far cry from what we were getting a month ago with all of the snow we were dealing with. But hey, I am so not complaining. I'm loving this. Now if we could just get better here in our home. I'm feeling better, it's just the energy hasn't caught up yet. DH is still abit under with that darn ol' flu bug, but I think he's coming around. So the card below is for the challenge over at Kraftin Kimmie's challenge blog. It's called getting punchy...hop on over and join in. And make sure you stop in at the store and check out all of those awesom and very adorable stamps....it's getting that time for another release also, so keep an eye open for that.....I colored all images in with distress re-inkers and that little leather thingy at the bottom is half of a bracelet that I purchased at 7-11 one day...I just tore it apart and used it for this card....lol.....well that's all I have for today. I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter yesterday and that your bellies aren't feeling all of that chocolate....hugs from a very springy day here in Charm City.....

6 Cards and a Layout

Happy rainy Monday...lol...not that's it's happy here, but it is rainy...I have to say that I got the bug...the flu bug that is...so this will be short and sweet. I just needed to get up out of bed and sit instead of laying down...so I thought I'd share these cards and a layout that I made last week. It seems like I have just been posting once a week with everything that I've made the previous week. So I hope you all don't mind it all at once.... Well I'm off and back to bed for abit. I hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead and many many thanks for stopping by and for your comments. They all make my day!!!!! Hugs from Charm City.......ENJOY!!!!!!

this is DH and our little grandbaby on a visit here a couple years back when we all went on vacation to the beach....I still need to add the journaling to finish it....I also made this using a sketch from Jana's Sketches...pop on over and check them out...they are all very inspiring...

this one turned out way busy....don't know if I like the outcome or not yet....

this was made with a no holds bar...what ever I grabbed that's what went on this card....old SEI paper and remember those deco scissors? Yep, I used them instead of the border punches...

and I have to say that I just love this little fella...he's a digi stamp from Dustin Pike. I just adore all of his digi's, but haven't used them yet. I made this into a paper piecing and used it for a card....isn't he just the cutest....

here's a cute little card I made with a stamp I received from Kimmie for winning her challenge a few weeks back. She is just so darling....thanks Kimmie...I really loved the package you sent ...here's the link to the store if you wanted to pop on over and check out the rest of the stamps...they are to die for....and if you wanted to join in on the fun with the challenges you can check them out here.

I thought this would make for a cute thank you card for our little one to send her Grandmother. It's a little premature, but my Mother in law wants to take her to this tea and crimpet little place one afternoon for the two of them to have tea together. So I figured why not be ahead of the game....simple but that stamp is ever so cute...I also used my scor-pal that I received from Diana....thanks Diana....I will be using this more in the future...this is such an awesom tool and I can't wait to make some things with it.... here's a card I actually made for a challenge over at Moxie Fab World . It's not very good though....

now, last but not least, here's another-- just add whatever...I can tell you, I don't like this one at all...I think the orange flowers are my problem..I think it needs green there instead....what do you all think? It just doesn't flow for me....

Just flying by Kraftin Kimmie Challenge #20

It's SUNNY here and it's lovely. I can't believe we have gotten past winter, finally. Yesterday, well even this past weekend, was just beautiful. I hope you all have the pleasure of having such wonderful weather that we have. On a lighter note, the following project/birthday card I made for the challenge over at Kraftin Kimmie's blog. The challenge was to use some of that unloved stash and show it some love. Well we all know I just love doing this. So this challenge was right up my alley. Everything I used on here was old with the exception of the stamp Emelia and plane and bling.... That's right, with Kimmie stamps you get that little extra stamp that goes along with the bigger one. I love it...so pop on over to the store and check out the stamps. She even posts cards to give you ideas from her DT with each store photo of the stamp.... She is getting ready to release some new ones pretty soon. I tell ya, I can't wait...I just love these stamps.... And if you get a chance, stop by and play along with the challenge this week. You know you all have some of that unloved stash that you can use for the challenge...after all, we all are hoarders..I know I am really bad at that....lol.... Just flying by to say...it's party time---easel card/drawer gift box This is the front of the easel card it measures 5 1/4" X 5 1/4"....paper is from Seven Gypsies and road sign from Karen Foster...I added Glossy Accents to the plane and the goggles... this is the card standing open and the little drawers opened...there are a total of 4 drawers to you can use to add little trinkets inside....

side view....I also used some chain from Magic Scraps and little coins that I have had forever...not to mention those little brad prong thingies...that's how I attached the chain....it was a pain, but I wanted that little extra something instead of a button of brad to open the drawers....I used some little wooden buttons and candle top holders and painted them then added them as feet to bring the box up off the table.....

the little it's party time is one of those little flip tabs from Karen Foster that I just trimmed off the flip tab...made this into a pull out little gift card holder....

I have had these little bottles forever to. Not to mention the little hinge brad thingies from Karen Foster...can you tell I just love Karen Foster products...lol...the bottle slips in/out of the little cage that I made using the hinges....I took a scrap piece of paper, wrote a message and rolled it up and stuck it inside...you can actually add money to the inside also....

Well that's all I have for today....thanks for stopping by and come back tomorrow, I've got a great Magnolia card to share.......hugs from Charm City....

It's Monday and Sunny

Thank you for stopping in this morning. It's very sunny here in Charm City so I'm hoping for a beautiful day. I can actually see green grass outside now and that is such a great site. I'm hoping that it means SPRING is on it's way. First up is a blog award I received from a very talented lady that I just love her work. She does some very amazing things over on her blog. Thank you so much Margie ( Bella Bug Creations) and if you get a chance stop by and check out her blog and don't forget to say Hi and leave some love. I have to pass this one to 6 people. I always hate this part, as I have to admit, I just love everyone's blog that I visit. I get so much inspiration from so many that it's just hard. So I will leave this to you who visit me. I would love for you to take this award, link back to me and share it with whom you find inspiration from in blogland. Or maybe there's that special someone that is just outstanding.

Next up is a card for a challenge over at Kraftin Kimmies blog. I just love-- love-- love the new collection of stamps that recently came out of pirates. If you have not seen these yummies, pop on over to the store and see for yourself. They are just like all of the others, a must have to have in your stamp stash...lol...I did....

The challenge was to use buttons and bows. I know, bows on a pirate card. Not to mention, the paper is from DCWV and is their linen collection...not much piracy going on here....lol....but I have to say, I really do like how this card turned out. And I'm so glad that I was able to finaly make a card for their challenge this week. I really enjoy their challenges and have missed them . To make the frame I used those little silver spacers for jewelry making and threaded some twine around them and added red glitz to the top. I can't remember who makes those star buttons either...sorry...the pirate stamp is called Billy Blyth and the greeting stamp is also from Kraftin Kimmie and the background word stamp is from the Memory box (christmas block)

here's another image from the collection called Polly the Bar Wench. Isn't she just full of ATTITUDE!!!!! I LOVE THE ATTITUDE.....lol...I think the attitude faces makes it, the must have for me, for stamps. Not to mention they all come with a little side stamp to go along with the bigger one (not shown in this card or one above). So it's like you get 2 for the price of one. And while you're in the store, make sure you click on the stamp photo and Kimmie shows you cards that the DT has made for more inspiration on using the stamp. How cool is that? The gretting is also from the same sheet of rubber as the one above. But to me that face says something way different...get my drift.....lol....flower buttons are from Doddlebug, paper DCWV and Recollections from bling swirly....oh I forgot, this is actually a clear card...I got that from Michaels paper section called Clear Craft Plastic from Grafix...I am loving this stuff...25 sheets for 10 bucks I think...very nice weight to it also....I also colored in the images using distress ink refills....

Well that's all I have for today....I'm working on a bigger project and should take most of the week....Thank you for stopping in this morning and I do hope you all have a wonderful week ahead...hugs from a Sunny Charm City.....

It's Coming Again

Happy Tuesday morning...Just a quick post to share a couple cards that I made some time ago and just haven't added them yet. This past weekend we ended up with 24" of snow, well we are in the path of another storm that is expected to dump another 12-18" on us. Can you believe that. My heart sank when I heard that on the news. We just thought it would be alittle dusting but hell no, it's another nor-easter storm. And it's coming right at us today into tomorrow again. We still haven't finished digging out from the last one, not to mention, they haven't even plowed our developement. And the next question is, where are they going to put all of the new snow? There's no where left!!! Hum, maybe that's why they haven't plowed in here..ya think? Anywho, here's the cards that I have to share...Enjoy!!!! this one I used Spellbinders for the flowers, frame and the embossed background and just used ink to go over top of it. Something different for me. Haven't decided if I like the color... and here's another Kraftin Kimmie stamp...I colored her in with Prisma pencils. Just a simple and quick card... I had someone ask me about the recipe to make the box that I posted below with my Magnolia set. I don't normally take measurements when I'm just winging it. But I do remember that I started with a sheet of 12X12 cardstock and cut it to 10X10 and scored 1" on all sides and folded into the bottom part of the box. Then I just took another 12X12 sheet and folded it over the sides to make the top part of the box. But this wasn't big enough to go all the way around to bottom part of the box, so I had to cut another piece to cover the gap. I'm so sorry that I'm horrible at measurements as I make something from scratch. I will try and do better in the future. Thanks so much for all of your wonderful comments and stopping by my blog. You all really make my day. Hugs from a very snowy (and getting more snow) Charm City..

Kraftim Kimmie and Magnolia cards

Happy Sunday all...Just a quick post this morning. I have a couple cards to share. One is for Kraftin Kimmie's challenge--no embellishments--can you believe that. Me, with no doo dads. Ha! I'm the queen of doo dads ..lol..I have to tell you it was soo hard for me. Everytime I turned around I went to grab something to add to this card. So for this card to end up with "nothing" was just amazing. It's a bit rustic, ok well, alot rustic, and I really went overboard with the distressing to. I colored in the image using distress inks. I know I'm late posting this, but I didn't get a chance to upload it before now. Sorry...so have you been over and checked out all of the images that Kimmie has in her store? They are just soo kewl. I know I've said this before, but I have to say it again, I just love these images. They are so fun, very unique and they have personality. I guess that's what draws me to them. Their faces. Most of them have the, don't bother me now, kind of look...lol...or if looks could kill...well you have to see them for yourselves if you haven't already. I know I can't wait to get some more of them.

My next card is from Magnolia. But you already new that, right! lol...I have found that I just adore these little stamps. I only have a few so I'm sure you'll get sick of seeing the same images over and over until I can get some new ones. And there are so many out there to get. If you don't know here's a couple place to get them, Magnolia-licious and Hallmark Scrapbook. I know there's other places, but these are the 2 places that come to mind right now. Enjoy!!!

the butterfly is from See D's and the little greeting is from Inqued Boutique along wit the stamped friends puzzle on the inside of the card. The paper twist is some oldie twist from Making Memories (do you remember those)? Those were another hot item back in the day that we all just had to have in our stashes...lol...not to mention, do you remember this paper? It came out of Slab 1 or 2..(I think). It was in with the rest of the slab storeage so I'm assuming it was part of one..and lookie, I used my deckle scissors...lol...ok I'm being silly now. I'm up to early. It's 3 am here and I've been up since 1 :30am. Already did 2 loads of laundry, took care of dishes from dishwasher and have dinner in the over...woohoo...now I get to play until everyone else gets up and running...

Well that's all I have for now. I'm working on another mag stamp using more inks to color them in. I guess I'm still trying to find that happy medium with coloing in images. I'm just not happy wqith the way my images turn out. They don't have that vibrant bold look to them like I like. Does anyone have any suggestions, links that I can pop over to for tutorials on how to's? I'd love to go and read up on more....well have a great day...hugs from a cold and snowy Charm City

I'm Yours Be Mine or Else

LOL...I so couldn't resist this sentiment to go along with this Kraftin Kimmie stamp. I am so into these stamps it isn't even funny. I just love their expressions that are on their faces and their cute little do dads that come with them. The sentiment is actually a $1 stamp from JoAnnes that had a couple of birdies sitting on a limb and they were holding these little signs..I thought it went perfect with this little girlie that has a voodoo doll...lol....I thought it could be used for a funny Valentine's card for DH...we always do a mushy and a funny card for each other. So what do you think? Think I might get a laugh or two out of him? Well that's all I have for now. I have a couple of things in the works and hope to get them finished the next couple of days...Thursday I have "JURY" duty...that dreaded word.."JURY"...so I just have to wonder what is on the docket....oh well, best to everyone and I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday evening...Thanks for stopping by and saying hi....hugs from a very rainy Charm City....

Kraftin Kimmie Challenge

Here is my take on the challenge over at Kraftin Kimmie. We were to use pink, red, chocolate and some hearts. I had alot of fun with this card. Still trying to learn how to color images in. the card has a tint on it and I couldn't get a great shot...sorry about that...I love love love this stamp. Look at her expression. It looks likes she's so frustrated...lol... here's the inside of the card. Just a simple one....well if you get a chance pop on over and play along....Well that's it for now...have a great day....Hugs from Charm City

Pink Elephant and Paper Take Weekly Challenges

Happy Friday---Man am I glad this week is over and it's finally the weekend. I know soon enough I won't be glad it's the weekend as I will have to be working them. This was just some disheartening news I received today at work. I have about a month and then it's weekend duty. YUK!!!! But you know what they say, this to shall pass. I just hope it will pass sooner than later. KWIM!!!!! On a lighter note, I made this card for our niece's birthday tomorrow. I used the sketch from Paper Take Weekly and the theme challenge---birthday---from The Pink Elelphant. The stamp is another from Kraftin Kimmie. Have you gone over there yet? If not, what the heck are you waiting for. They just released a new line of stamps and they are to die for. Let me say it again, To Die For!!!! LOL....I really thought this one fit our niece. She's so pretty and alittle glam like this stamp but has that little tude thing going on. Have you seen the artist' blog that creates these stamps, Annie Rodrigue? Holy cow girls and boys. Pop on over there and check her blog out Moonlight Whispers . I was flipping through her pages and I was in awe of her work. As I was reading I noticed that she uses ink to color in her images. It looked like liquid ink not from a marker. So me being the kind of person that I am, decided to try it on this little birthday girl. I have done this before, but I really tried to make it work with the blending and all. And I have to say that I really like coloring in with a paint brush better than a marker. Why, I don't know. I just do. I even used acrylic paint watered down with water (hair color). I remember back at the holiday season there was a tutorial using inks like this as well over in the classroom at Ellen Hutson that was very helpful. So I have all of these bottles of reinkers that I am putting to good use instead of using them on the ink pads themselves. I also used Canson watercolor paper 90lb. instead of the Neenah paper. I felt like this would hold the liquid ink better than the Neenah paper. I just used the backside of it instead cuz it was smoother than the front. It's called the Biggie Jr. and I got it at Joannes for about 10 bucks for 5o sheets. But I did use clear embossing powder after I stamped my image so it would keep the colors from bleeding together. So there you have it. A new found method ( for me anyways) of me trying to color in images. I know I still have alot of trial and error, but I think this will work for me as I just can't seem to get a hang of those darn cute Copic markers. So what do you think? Is she ok for my first try at using reinkers? paper is by Scenic Route reinkers from Distress Inks worn lipstick broken china and tea dye and acrylic is yellow ochre (with a little mix of tea dye ink) I also added some stickles this is the sketch for Paper Take Weekly Well that's all I have for today. I hope to play some more this weekend. I received some new stamps in the mail the other day from a very special friend and have been dying to play with them. I hope you all ahve a wonderful weekend. Hugs from a very warm Charm City

Caardvarks Kraftin Kimmie and even a Magnolia card

First off, I'd like to say, Happy bitter sweet cold Sunday. And it is really cold here in Charm City. Today was just a lazy day. We finally took down and stored all of our holiday decorations yesterday. And let me tell you, it was such a chore. We have to go up in the attic to store all of the tubs and boxes. It's such a tight fit for 2 pleasantly "phat" people...lol....and I say that in a nice way. Any whoo, onto the cards for today...Enjoy!!!! you can click on the photos for a better view

I made this one for the challenge over at Caardvarks (sketch challenge). If you get some time stop by and take their challenge. They have some really nice candy going on with it. And don't forget to check out the DT's cards and the others that have posted. They are all just so inspiring. All of the product here is out of my "older stash." Anna Griffin papers (at which I just love love love her papers and I have been hoarding them). To make the scallop border I used 3 1" punched circles and used a pencil to trace them, then moved all 3 down the line to make the length of the card and cut them out. I added black stickles with a pearl inside to highlight each scallop. Used a felt flower border, green ribbon and a row of sequins on top with Prima flowers and one of those darling little Junkitz rubbery tag thingies that has been in my stash forever. In the upper left corner I used 2 of the felt flowers added 2 little felt balls with a stick pin with pearl beads to it. There's a better photo below of the stick pin. I added some Ranger Glossy Accents to the bottom of the pin so it wouldn't prick anyone who gets this card.

and here's the sketch

next up is for a challenge over at Kraftin Kimmie Stamps blog. This is my new love for stamps. I have to have "ALL" of them. They just released some new stamps and they are just darling little creatures. You have to pop over and check them out. The challenge is to use metal on your card and you have to use at least one stamp from Kraftin Kimmie. It took me awhile to color and cut Josephine out, but I really love how she turned out. She is just so cute. The metal I used was a metal saying (magic moments--don't remember who made this) brads (Karen Foster) paper clip and stamples (Making Memories). Added some stickles for a little glitz but I don't think it came out in the photo. Fiskars border punch and Prisma pencils with Gamsol. I'm still trying to work on my coloring. So what do you think? Isn't she just a darling little stamp? Pop on over and see what the rest of the girls did with this challenge.

here's the paper clip that I broke in half and used it on the ends to hold the ribbon.

In the photo's below, do you remember.......

this Borderlines victorian edger/ruler from Creative Memories?

or how about this Deluxe Card Template from Deluxe Cuts? I remember I just had to have all of these templates. I bet you did to. They were the hottest thing on the market when they came out. Not to mention the one's for scrapbooking. I had to have all of those as well. So as I was digging through my stash of "dusty tools" I came across these beauties and decided to make a card. Not to mention I dug out a Magolia stamp. I don't know why, but I have been so intimidated with these stamps. I have been a lurker on the Magnolia blog/yahoo group and have so admired everyone's work and wished that I could make something as gorgeous as their cards were. So I decided to give it a try. My card didn't turn out gorgeous, but for my 2nd card of Magnolia stamps I think it turned out ok. What do you think?

I used the ruler on the right border and added some Heidi Swapp chipboard letters to it for the greeting with Making Memories stickers at the top (I'm). Punched a 2 1/2" circle, added a black mat and I have her sitting on top of a string of ribbon that I folded in half. I used the Deluxe Cuts template to make the background. But you really can't see much of it with the circle. Added some Prima flowers and Robins Nest pearls. I know the coloring is just horrible, but I'm trying.

Well that's it for today. I'm off and going to work on dinner. We always eat early so I need to get crackin. Have a blessed week ahead. Hugs from Charm City