Back into the Swing ... and a Blog Candy Winner !!!

Morning Everyone ! I have a card for you today . Finally made it into my stamping room last night after a week of packing and the like. It's a bit crazy here without a working kitchen but as I told son this morning, all that previous camping experience isn't going to waste ! On to the card ... I broke in this set that I won from Flourishes a week ago ... I tell ya... I love it ! I paper pieced the dress with the same dp and added a dp ribbon strip behind the pinking circles . Everything else is pretty self explanatory. Recipe below.
Paper: Bo Bunny, Blue Bayou (SU), Neenah white
Ink: Rich Cocoa ( Memento) , Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol
Stamps: Swing Set by Flourishes
Accessories: CB Swiss Dots folder, large pinking circle Nesties, dew drops, pop dots

NOW ... have you been waiting for the results ... the winner of the blog candy is ... ( drum roll ) ...

random. org selected :

GRACE

Grace said :

Hi Crystal! Congrats on your blogaversary and all the hits! Wow!!! This is wonderful candy here! Someone will be very excited!!! What I love to do in the summer is go to Maine and just soak in all of God's glorious beauty along the seashore. I used to live there and miss it so much... once we drive over that bridge into Kittery Maine I can just smell "home" and I love to walk barefoot in the sand, sit on the rocks and watch the waves roll in... oh and have a lobstah or two!!! Besides that I love to have my grandkids come to my house... they come for two weeks every summer and we swim, boat, play games, do crafts, read and just cuddle. I'm posting your candy right now! Thanks for the chance to win! God bless your blog and the ministry you can have through it!

Congratulations , Grace ! Send me your snail mail address and I'll send your goodies off to you .

Thanks everyone for playing ... truly wish you ALL could have won ! Have a blessed day! {hugs!}

Good morning, All ! I don't have a post for you today . I've been busy working towards our new kitchen but I do want to remind you about the blog candy { wink, wink } . Scroll down and enter if you haven't already. Ends tomorrow ( 4/28th) at 11:59PM ... I'll pick a winner on Weds and post sometime that day. Have a beautiful day ! { hugs !}

Karma Award ! from Christina !

I am so thrilled to receive this award from Christina ! Thank you SO much ! That is the sweetest thing from one of the sweetest bloggers I have "met "! If you have not visited Christina's blog , you MUST go visit! Her blog is gorgeous and with wonderful creations. I promise ...you will not be disappointed ! The following paragraph goes with this award .

The Karma Award: These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.
Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly written text into the body of their award.

Well, what a great challenge for me ... I have chosen the following eight . Be sure and check them out... They are terrific !

Dottie
Judy
Laurie
Becca
Lisa
Cindy
Janine
Grace

FIRST RATE birthday

Hi Friends ! How are you doing ? I have a masculine card to post today. I do alot more masculine cards these days ...alot of men in the family, ya know ! This one was alot of fun for me . The background was embossed with the Argyle CB folder . The coat and bowler hat was paper pieced and colored in . The chain is old and have no idea how I ended up with it. The " pocket watch " is a button with a buffalo on it . The sentiment is computer generated . Specifics are below. What do you think ? Hope the sun is shining and it's warmer in your corner of the world . Have a good one, now . { hugs, hugs !}
Paper: Momenta combo pack, whisper white
Ink: Ancient Page Flannel Grey, Distress in Antique Linen, prismacolor pencils
Stamp: River City Rubber Works
Accessories: Small pinking circles Nesties, pop dots, silver chain, LaMode button, silver brad, Argyle CB folder

Celebratory BLOG CANDY !

Hi Everyone ! The blog candy is finally here and ready to post ... have you been waiting long? :) Well, it's SPRING , a birthday and anniversary month plus my 3 month blogging anniversary and over 2000 hits . I feel like celebrating ! I have some goodies for you as you can see.

*Island Blossoms set from SU ! ( retired )
*Spellbinders Nestabilities " Peony"
*Tombow Mono Adhesive
*Flower Soft in Shamrock Green
*yards of yummy ribbon

You interested ? Here's what you do . Leave a comment on this post telling me what you love to do in the summer AND also post a link to this post on your blog. I'll leave this post at the top of my blog until April 28th and will pick a winner through random integer generator on Wednesday , the 29th.
And remember , let's be fair to everyone ... only ONE comment. Remember to check back here on the 29th !

Love the Lord ...

Good morning ! My internet was down this morning but here we are , back up and running again. Here's my card for you . Hopefully you can see the detail. A very simple easy peasey card . I will just jot the deets below and get back to the duststorm here ! Have a fab day , everyone ! { hugs !}
Stamp: Rosebud
Paper: Paper Adventures, whisper white , pretty in pink
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Labels Two nestie, scalloped oval nestie, white satin ribbon, sticky pearls, pop dots

Filigreed Floral

Hi All ... Happy Monday ... and I do mean that ! Here's my card for today . Can you see that embossed blue paper ? It's from K&C's Addison pack . It has a wonderful texture . I couldn't wait to use it ... courtesy of a birthday gift from a friend ! The flower image( Heidi Grace ) was stamped five times with Memento Tuxedo Black , colored with Copics ( BV00, B52, BG15, RV04, YR12 ) and cut out. Black metal dots were added to the centers. The black swirls were cut out with a Sizzix die. The sentiment frame was cut out and embossed with an oval Nestie and a ribbon was added. The sentiment ( JoAnn's ) was stamped in Tuxedo Black also and colored with a Copic. The "trellis" is punched with a Martha Stewart punch. What do you think ? Well , today is the day ! The beginning of a kitchen remodel due to a burst water pipe from our very cold winter. The stamping room is a pretty good place to spend the day away from the dust , don't you think ! May be back later with a challenge card . { Hugs... Hugs !}

Happy Sunday, Friends !

I recently received this award from Dottie @ www.holidayfloralpieces.blogspot.com, ... Dottie , you are so sweet to send me this . I don't know if I am supposed to pass it along to others or not ... but if I am ... I just want to say that if you are reading this ... then you deserve this award ! I couldn't possibly pick 10 or so from the many , many fab blogs/blogging friends I have visited. You all inspire me with your wonderful creations, your stories and even some of you who are going through difficult struggles , some of you who share your love of the Lord and those of you who visit my little spot here and leave such encouraging comments. SO ! You all are nominated by me ... so go ahead ... paste this on your blog ... from Crystal . Hugs , Hugs !!

A Happy House Mouse !

Happy Friday All! Hope you have a good weekend ahead of you . Here's my card for you today. I {love, love, love } ice cream , especially in summer , ( And to make a pitch ... Columbus has fantastic ice cream parlors!! ... some with really off the wall flavors... try Buttered Sweet Corn ?!!! ) ... so I was really in the mood to play with this stamp. The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copics ( didn't write down the color #'s, sorry ) . The oval was cut and embossed with a Nestie. I distressed the edges lightly with Antique Linen Distressed Ink . All the papers are by Basic Grey. The buttons are by Hero Arts. The sentiment is from a set by Heidi Grace. Very simple yet cute, I think . Hope your Friday and weekend includes plenty to make you smile. Hugs !

Oh, BABY !

Hey All ... good morning ! I finally have a card for you today. This one made me laugh quite a bit. Now I know you will think I am a bit on the loony side ... Can you see the baby there and his paper pieced diaper ?!!!! After attaching that little piece , he looked like he had a FULL diaper and was ready for a change . Now I have 3 boys and once upon a time I knew what it was like to change FULL diapers ! So anyway , the paper is by Heidi Grace and has this wonderful sheen. Sorry it doesn't show up in the photo. I may try to take another picture later today . The baby stamp is by Art Impressions. Isn't " he" a cutie ? I colored this little one with markers ( SU) , propped him up with pop dots onto a square and embossed Nestie panel , the sentiment is computer generated and the buttons are by Hero Arts. Add a little pale yellow ribbon and you are done. What do you think ? Have a FAB-U-LOUS day everyone ! Hugs, Hugs !

Prayer Update

Hi Everyone !
No card yet to post but will have one for you tomorrow morning. A couple of you have asked about Blake, the Columbus rower who lost his legs to Necrotizing Fascitis . He is doing much better. Last week was very hard with more surgeries to remove more affected muscle and tissue on his left thigh which was greatly disappointing but his right thigh was much better and Dr's. were able to save some of the thigh muscle on his right. They have since closed up his wounds and now the healing begins. Would you continue to pray for healing , strength and courage ? His road to recovery and learning to deal with mobility challenges will be hard and frustrating at times. He is a fighter ( rowers are a tough breed !) so we know he has the tools plus a strong faith in God. Thanks ! Hugs ...Hugs !

Dance..., Sing..., Live ...

Hi Everyone ... Did you all have a Happy Easter ? We sure did . My goal for the week is to hit the gym to burn up the Reese's eggs, chocolate bunnies and the yummy red raspberry dessert that I especially love to pig out on! Gonna take some serious Pilates ! Here's my late day card for you. This paper was in a stash of "oldies" ... love the colors and decided to run the dp through CB folders ( Script and Swiss Dots ) for added interest. I love the result . Stamps are by Verve. Flowers were stamped with Memento Tux Black on whisper white and colored with SU markers ( Mauve, Gable Green and Bliss Blue) and cut out. The center panel was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and colored and cutout with a Labels Two nestie. The background Nestie is Purely Pomegranate. It was cut in half to allow enlarging for framing the white panel. I added Stardust Stickles to the center of the flowers. Everything was layered with double stick tape or mini pop dots. Have a good night ! And thanks so much again for visiting ! You blogging friends are just the best !

He Did This ... FOR YOU !

Good morning, All ! Today is Good Friday and I am SO thankful for this day and what it means to me and to all of us believers . "...now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three- sin, guilt , death - are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God ! " - the Message version . To my card ... this stamp ( Love You to Bits ) was stamped with Tuxedo Black onto Very Vanilla and colored with Copics . I used a warm yellow Prisma pencil to add the glow around the cross. The background paper is by Crafty Individuals . I layered everything up . Gold brads are in the corners and were pounded down with an eyelet hammer to resemble nailheads. The cs is Very Vanilla , More Mustard , Lovely Lilac strips and Wild Wasabi. I wrote the sentiment with a marker. Have a blessed Easter weekend. I may be back for another posting this weekend but with my boys all home, we will see if I make it to the stamping room . Hugs to you all !

Be Watching ...BLOG CANDY (WOO HOO) Coming SOON !

Hey Everyone ! I have a couple special occasions happening in my life this month and on top of that , I gratefully want to say " thank you" to you sweet blogging friends out there who have taken the time to visit as well as those of you who leave such wonderful comments , encouragement and the like. SO ... be watching ... I'll be offering some BLOG CANDY from yours truly in the next few days.

FLLCAPR Paper Piecing

Hi All ! Today was catchup day with a dear friend ... loved it . This , I'm afraid , was all I accomplished during our chatting time but it was fun and it's enough to " throw in the pot" for the drawing. This is the Flourishes chair set that was released several months ago . I love the sentiment and paper piecing the chair was easy . I stamped the chair three times . Twice on vanilla cs and once on the dp . The cushion part of the image on the dp was cut out and paper pieced onto the chair frame on the vanilla image. The third stamped image was on the bottom vanilla half that is on the card . (Does that make any sense ?) Layer up the chair with pop dots . The dp is by My Minds Eye . The chair " wood" was colored with Copic s # E27 and E57 and the " carpet " was colored with E31. The chair rail and baseboard was run through the CB . The sentiment is also part of this fun set. The wall mirror is foil paper and was cut out and embossed with an scalloped oval Nestie and secured on the " wall" with pop dots. There you have it . If you haven't seen the new Flourishes sets to be released , be sure and check them out... talk about fun ! Hope to have another card for you tomorrow. Have a great rest of the day. Hugs !!

Wishing You ...JOY !!

Good morning, Friends ! The sun is shining this morning but it is brrr cold out there. Supposed to warm up ... I really hope so . Hope you are getting some of that sunshine too, wherever you are. Yesterday I had so much fun blog hopping in my free time. There are GORGEOUS blogs out there ... wow ! Now to the card which is why you are here , right ! I decided to pull out the vellum and make another spring-like card . The flower ( Archivers ) is stamped on vellum with Versamark and embossed with Jeweled Gold. I colored with SU markers on the reverse side ( Red, Coral, Summer Sun, Almost Amethyst and Pretty in Pink ) . The card front is stamped with leaves from SU's Best Blossoms set in Gable Green . The vellum is layered with vellum tape and secured to the card base. I added goldish cream ribbon . The sentiment is computer generated and then cut out and embossed with

a Spellbinders Trio labels die and secured with tiny pop dots. I wanted to add gemstones and such but really the jeweled gold was so lovely that I decided to keep it simple and let the flowers draw the eye. Hope you like it . Have a terrific Wednesday everyone. The Lord bless you ! Hugs !

In Your Loving Ways ...

Happy Monday All ! Hope you all had a great weekend . I am a bit late today with my post ...busy day . Here's my card . I've been looking for the right stamp to use with this wonderful paper from Daisy Bucket. It's double sided and with a wonderful distressed texture. I chose to use this sentiment by Eureka Stamps. Isn't that a great saying to send to a sweet friend ? I layered the dp with SU's Gable Green and Cool Caribbean ... a perfect match. The sentiment was stamped with Ancient Page in Flannel Grey on whisper white then distressed lightly with Antique Linen Distressed Ink . The primas were streaked with a Copic marker and layered . The leaves are from a MS punch. A matching button was glued to the center of each bloom. Ribbon was added at the middle seam and around the sentiment. That's about it . Sorry that the photo is a bit blurry. It's raining here today and a bit hard to get some good light for the snapshot. Have a good rest of the day , everyone. Hugs !!

Eggs in My Basket , er Nest !

It's Friday everyone ! Woo Hoo ... ours isn't looking to be as busy as usual so hope the weather allows for some real outdoor fun time. I made this card before seeing the Stamp Simply #81 challenge which is to use an Easter egg ... gee , I thought of adding a fancy egg to the nest but it didn't look quite right so guess I don't meet the challenge here but maybe time in the stamping room today will allow for the challenge. (NOTE : I was just informed that I have indeed met the challenge... hurrah !!) The nest description and the nest stamps are by Impression Obsession and were stamped on Very Vanilla with Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate and then Chocolate Chip to mute the shine just a little. The nest was stamped directly onto / in the middle of the description and colored with Prismacolor pencils. The bird ( Flourishes ) was stamped the same way and cut out , mounted with a pop dot. The layers were cut with Labels One nesties . The dp is by Bella Bella and that wonderful soft downy ribbon from Archivers. Tiny buttons from Hero Arts were added . That about explains it, I think. What do you think? Should I have added a " surprise" Easter egg to the nest ? Have a "fantabulous" weekend everyone ! Hope you have some Spring- like weather . Hugs !!

Hi Friends ! The sun is shining again this morning. What a spirit lifter ! Just had to post a sunny card to match . I picked up this flower stamp at a stamp store in Cincy but can not read the scribble on the stamp so have no idea the company. The flower was stamped on Neenah white with Tuxedo Black and colored with Copics ( RV14, E57, Y19,Y21, YG11 & YG17 )...I cut out a scalloped square Nestie from the BG Urban Prairie pack and matted the flower square. Next, I cut strips of coordinating papers from Urban Prairie and sectioned those on a white background card. I added sheer yellow ribbon over the seams for interest. Layer on the flower panel with dimensionals and add some dew drops to the four corners of the card and to the four corners of the flower panel, stamp on the sentiment by A Muse and you have it ! What do ya think ? Hope your day is everything you wish it to be . I'll be back tomorrow with more . Hugs !!

Happy April Fool's Day ! No foolin ' ! I picked up this Penny Lane paper and sentiment in FL and I tell ya... I love them ! I thought this sentiment was perfect for sending " a little down the road" after the loss of a loved one. The sentiment was cut out with an oval Nestie. I then double cut another oval on the dp and then snipped it to fit around a little of the sentiment oval to add more color . I punched out two layers from a MS punch to add interest. Everything was layered up as you see . Recipe is below. Have a great day and be on the alert for ones playing 'Fool tricks ! Hugs !!
Stamp: Great Impressions
Paper: Penny Lane, SU
Ink: Tuxedo Black
Accessories: ivory ribbon, oval Nestie, Hero Arts primas, gem brad, MS border punch