Joyful Expressions

Today is a sad day for me.  This is my last post being part of the Pattie's Creations Design Challenge DT.  I so enjoyed my time there and thank Pattie so much for giving me the opportunity!  But with time constraints I just felt it was time to step down and give someone else a chance to be part of such an amazing team!!!!

The new theme at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge is "Father's Day or Wedding" - it's your choice!  Now what could be more perfect for June?  And as always, there really is only one rule for the challenge - besides keeping with the theme - you must always use an image and it can be either digi or traditional stamp.  Now how easy is that?

For my card I used Pattie's image called Mens Tie Trio.  My plan was to cut out all three ties...but that didn't work out to well because I have a "helper" when I craft who wants to put his paws all over everything (yes, my kitty helps me).  So after cutting one out I decided to just use two of the three.  I really liked the fact that you can use either one or two or the whole image - it makes it so versatile!  I colored them with markers and then used a Sissix embossing folder to emboss the base of the card.  Inside is a Bible verse and the third tie.



I hope you come on over and join us at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge - I look forward to see you there!!!!!  I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

• Cute Card Thursday - So Macho
• Oldie But a Goodie - Father's Day/Masculine (the paper and buttons are at least a year old - probably older!  LOL!!
• Papertake Weekly - For the Boys
• Craft Your Passion - Father's Day/For the Boys
• PINspirational Challenge - photo inspiration (wood texture and dad theme)

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a very happy Father's Day and God bless you!!!!

Today is a double duty post....two design teams posting showing two celebrations!

First up is the new challenge at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.  The theme is Birthdays - what a great thing to celebrate!!  So often we get hung up on that number - especially if that number is getting higher and higher - LOL!!  But it's just that - a number.  It's a great time to celebrate life and celebrate all that has been accomplished - and look forward to what the next year has to bring.

For my card I used "Large Heart Quilted" for the main image and then a little Happy Birthday stamp I had (I think it might even be a little Studio G stamp but who knows).  The papers were part of my stash as is the piece of ribbon.  Last weekend I went through all my buttons and separated them by color - so of course I had to use them!  LOL!!

• Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
• Crafting From The Heart - Anything Goes
• Lexi's Creations - Happy Birthday
• Love To Scrap Challenge - Anything Goes
• Through The Purple Haze - Button it Up
• Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Next up for today is the Mid-Challenge Inspiration at Kitty Bee Designs Aloha Challenge.  The theme is Congrats/Graduation.  Our sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps.  I chose to use  Ava Grad Diploma  This card is already in the hands of the recipient.  Our niece graduated from Nursing School this month and we couldn't be more proud of her!

For the card I chose to use red because her graduation party was red and white.  Once again the papers are from my stash.  The "Congrats" stamp is one that I had on hand - I have no idea what company it is.

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I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

•  Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
• A Random Fan - Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamps - Anything Goes
• 4 Krafty Girls Challenge - Anything Goes
• Hanna and Friends - Dies
• Red Rubber Inspirationals - Way to Go, Graduate
• The Sailing Pineapple - Black-White-Red

Thanks for stopping by today!  God bless you!!!!

What is more "Mother's Day" than a new baby?  I have a friend who just had a baby and she is ADORABLE.  I made this card with her in mind.  It worked out perfectly too because the new challenge over at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge is "Mother's Day".  Why not make a card for your mom or daughter or close friend and join us!  We'd love to see your beautiful work!!

For my card I used an image called "Mother Child 1".  It's perfect!  As with all my cards, I kept it simple.  It's funny because I love cards that have so much on them - but when I try to do something similar it never turns out.  I guess I've just come to learn that my style is basic and simple...that's just the way it is.


I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

• Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
• Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
• Stampin' Royalty - Mom
• ABC Challenges - Keep It Simple

Thanks for stopping by today!  God bless you!!!!!

Pattie's Creations Design Challenge is starting a new challenge this week and with Easter being this weekend - what else could the theme be?  Did you know that Pattie's Creations offers a freebie every month?  For my card I used the freebie that was offered the first Friday of this month - Duckie In Egg.  I decided that I wanted to make a statement with this card:  that you don't have to spend a lot of money to make cards.  The image is a freebie.  The papers were scraps from other projects as is the ribbon.  And I colored the image with Bic Sharpies.  So many people use Copics and get wonderful results.  But some people just can't afford the investment of those markers.  I once bought a set of Sharpies at Staples with a coupon - I think I got a set of 40 markers for around $12.  Certainly you cannot get the same results as you can with Copics or Spectrum Noir markers....but you can still create a nicely colored image.


I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

• Milk Coffee Challenge - Easter
• Simon Says Stamps - Animals
• Eureka Stamps - Easter
• Created with Love - Easter

Thank you for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!

Do you have any idea how many creative folds there are out there?  Are you one that makes cards folded many different ways?  If so - do I have the challenge for you!!!  Pattie's Creations Design Challenge theme is "Fancy Folds".  The only rule is that you must always use an image in your creation.

I've noticed I do a lot of confession here on this blog and today I'm doing another one.....I don't typically do any fancy folding.  Yeah, I know...I get stuck in a rut but it's where I'm comfortable.  I think that's why I like doing challenges - it's forces me outside my little box.  For my card I used Pattie's wonderful "Pocket Watch" image.  I thought about coloring it - but then I decided to just take some inks in various colors and ink up the whole image and paper.  I've seen it done but have not done it myself (at least I don't think I have in the past).  Shocking - I really liked it it turned out!  The fold I used is a double z fold.  It's a simple card (as are all my cards), but I did really like the final results.  And this card is already in the mail too.

• Little Red Wagon - Make It Masculine
• Everybody Art Challenge - Watch
• Make My Monday - One For The Boys
• Crafty Ribbons Challenge - Anything Goes With Ribbon

Thanks for stopping by today!  God bless you!!!

I have an addiction.  Unfortunately there isn't a 12-step program to help mine.  And it seems like everywhere I turn - there it is.....I confessing today:  I'm addicted to ice cream!  I can't even have it in the house - if I do, I'll even eat it for breakfast.  Hey, it's dairy right?  LOL!!!  Since Pattie's Creations Design Challenge theme is Anything Goes I decided to use "Ice Cream Trio".  What's better than once ice cream cone?  THREE!  LOL!!! 


Come on over and join us at Pattie's Creation Design Challenge.  Remember the only rule is that you must use an image on your project.

Thanks for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!

No, I don't mean "Green" as in the environment (although we do recycle and live as "green" as we can)...but "Green" as in the color GREEN!  Our new challenge at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge is "Green for St. Patrick's Day".  Your project doesn't have to be St. Patrick's Day themed - just use the color green.  And of course - as with all Pattie's Creations Design Challenges, you must use an image.  And guess what?  Since today is the first Friday of the month - it's FREEBIE time!  Check it out:  Freebie.

For my card I went a bit crazy with the green theme.  Pattie said "green" so I did the whole card in green!  LOL!!!  I used "Spring Herbs" for my card.



I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• Crafting For All Seasons - Spring into Spring (I'm so ready to see plantings!)
• Scrap Creations - Going Green
• Inky Chicks - Monochromatic
• Twisted Tuesday - Clean w/ green
• Cards in Envy - Think Green
• Crafty Bloggers - Nature
• Perfectly Rustic - Shades of 1 Color
• QKR Stampede - Green
• DigiHaven - 3 different shades of Green
• Stampin With The Dragon - Let's Go Green

Thanks for stopping by today!  God bless you!!!

Happy Friday!!!!  It's been a long week and yes, it snowed and it is cold.  Someday all this white stuff will melt and it will warm up.  LOL!!

Friday brings a new challenge at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge and this week the theme is to use RED in your creation.  Remember the only real rule at Pattie's Creations is that you must use an image on your project....and of course, this time use red. 

Next week is one of our granddaughters Birthday so I decided to make a Birthday card for this challenge.  The image is called "Hearts Cupcake".  Once I colored it, I cut it out and then used pop dots to lift it off the card a bit.  Since I was using heart paper that was darker, I needed something to sort of back it...and low and behold in my stash I found a die cut that I had been sent in a swap a while back.  Love when things from the stash can be used!  Add a ribbon and some bling...and this is what you get:


Don't forget that that the only rule is to use an image...and while you don't have to use a Pattie's Creations image, we would love it if you do.  OH - and guess what?  At Pattie's Creations Design Challenge it's FREEBIE FRIDAY!  Stop on over and get your freebie HERE!  If you use one of Pattie's images you get an extra entry into the challenge!!  Hope to see you over at Pattie's Creations!

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• Cute Card Thursday - Lots of Love (cause I love my granddaughter)
• Southern Girls Challenge - Bling, Bling, Bling
• Creative Card Crew - Recipe challenge
• Cuttlebug Mania - A Touch of Red
• Love to Create - Birthday
• Pile It On - Ribbon
• The Ribbon Girl  - Hearts
• Craft Ribbon Challenge - Anything Goes with Ribbon
• 4 Crafty Girls - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!  God bless you today and stay warm!!!

I confess:  I'm not on the Design Team schedule this week at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.  But when I saw the theme - FOR A LITTLE GIRL....how could I pass this up when I have four granddaughters?  So I asked if I could participate with Team Pattiboop, and the answer was YES!!!  YEAH!!!! 

Don't think you can't participate if you don't have a little girl in your life....because even as adult women, we all have that inner little girl who still loves "girlie" things so you could make a card even for your adult family member or friend too.

I used "Bear Love With Balloons" for my card.   The flower paper is from PaperTrey Ink.  The other papers are some scraps I had from other projects.  I love using scraps!  I can't remember exactly where the ribbon is from...so I won't risk giving the wrong information.  Here's the final product:


Come on over and join us at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by today!  God bless you and, if you're from my neck of the woods - try to stay warm!

WE'RE BACK!!!!  Yep, Pattie's Creations Design Challenge is back in full swing for 2014!  Our first challenge for the year is STITCHING - Faux or Real.

Now honestly, I can't sew.  I have a nice Singer sewing machine that I bought because I wanted to learn to sew.  I'm a very "all or nothing" type of person...so instead of just trying something small - I went out and bought the machine, a bunch of patterns, material, and set out to be a seamstress!  The first thing I decided to make was a teddy bear for my granddaughter.  When it was done - it looked like a giant mouse.  Since then my sewing machine has not been used...that granddaughter just turned 9 years old this month and I made the bear for her when she was still a baby I think.  Wow, how time flies.  I've often thought I would try sewing on cards...but never have.  I really need to do that.  But since I didn't want to try on a challenge card....I decided to do faux stitching.  And honestly, I've learned that I not only can't sew...but I can't "faux sew" either.  LOL!!

The image I used is "Candy Hearts Jar".  What a great image for Valentine's Day!!!  I always loved eating those conversation hearts when I was a kid....and who am I kidding - I still love them!!  Even just last year I remember sitting on the couch with my husband and eating those.....yeah, we are just a couple kids.

The image is colored with Spectrum Noir markers, cut using a Spellbinders die and then layered it with the next size up.  I did the faux stitching with a marker.

• Crafters Cafe - Anything Goes
• Crafty Girls Challenge - Anything Goes
• 7 Kids College Fund - Anything Goes

Yep - it's another "2 challenges for 1 post" today!  If you're looking for Card Crafter's Circle please head to the bottom half of the post.

Friday's bring challenges from Pattie's Creations Design Challenge and this challenge couldn't be more timely for me here in Ohio since we have snow...and are expecting a ton more tomorrow.  The theme this week is "Snowy Scene Within The Image".  You just have to check out Pattie's images because she has amazing winter scenes...and my favorite ones are the snow globes!  I chose to use Winter Cottage Snow Globe.  I colored the image but then just thought it had to have some sparkle so I added Stickles for the snow.  I'm usually not a glitter type person but when it comes to Christmas cards I love it.  And gee, I think overall I'm finding a fondness for that sparkling look.  Here's how it turned out:

• Creative Moments - Winter Wonderland
• Simon Says Stamps - Let it Snow

• Word Art Wednesdays - Anything Goes
• My Heart Pieces - Sparkle

Thanksgiving is over, the frig is full of leftovers (YUMMY!), and today our Christmas tree gets put up...which means Christmas season has begun!  I know for some it started last night with the pre-Black Friday shopping.  But I don't do the Black Friday shopping.  Instead I stayed home last night and relaxed...and slept in this morning!  I must confess though that tomorrow I do have to go out shopping.  LOL!!

Since it will start looking like Christmas around here by the end of the day, it also means I need to drag out my stash of Christmas cards and start addressing.  I know I don't have enough...thought I did but I don't.  Let's just face it - we never seem to have enough right?  Today could save you from that problem!  It's a new challenge over at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge and theme:  CHRISTMAS CARDS!  Oh come on now, you know you need just one more at least.  LOL!!!  The only requirement (besides being a Christmas card of course) is that you must use an image - either digital or traditional stamp.  And guess what?  Pattie offers a freebie the first Friday of every month - it's always available for 1 week so pop over and grab the freebie too!

For my project I went a little out of the box for colors.  For some reason I seem to be in a pink and purple mode lately.  I chose to use "Vintage Christmas Stocking" and then color it pink and purple to give it a modern feel.  
 

And here's some other exciting news!  Pattie's Creations is having a Design Team Call!!  Why not apply?  Here's the info:  Design Team Call

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope to see your Christmas Card soon!  Blessings to you and your family.

TGIF!  And Friday brings a new challenge at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.  This week is "GIVING THANKS or THANK YOU".  Remember that you must always use an image to participate in the challenge.

Since I've been making so many Thanksgiving cards lately, I wanted to do something different.  I decided to with "thank you" but not the usual thank you card...but a "thanks for being you" card.  I know, I know - I'm taking a little liberty with the theme...LOL!!  But here's where I really go off  the scale.....well, just look at the card first and then I'll explain:


I know - pink flamingos?  LOL!!  I have several "Secret Sisters" at church and one of them I have had this year loves pink flamingos.  I wanted to send her a card telling her how much I've enjoyed being her "Angel" this year (since we reveal in just a few short weeks) and when I saw the pink flamingos - well, how could I resist?  

Come on over and join the fun at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.  Remember - you must use an image on your project.

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• Love To Create - Thanksgiving/Thanks (obviously going with Thanks instead of Thanksgiving - LOL!!)
• Created With Love - Thank You
• Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
• Delightful Challenges - Thankful

Thanks for stopping by today!  God bless you!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!  What?  It's not your Birthday?  It's not mine either.  But let's face it - do we ever have enough Birthday cards?  It seems like I'm always scrambling to find one.  This week at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge we are solving that problem!!!  Yep, our challenge is Birthdays.  

For my project I used  "You Moove Me".  I colored the cows with Spectrum Noir markers and then used a small Happy Birthday stamp I had in my stash.  They screamed pink and brown to me so I used some dsp I had in my stash and made their spots brown.  



Come on over and join us at our Birthdays challenge.  Remember you must use a stamped image (either stamped or digi).  Of course you can use any image you'd like, but we'd be tickled pink if you used one of Pattie's images.  :)

Thank you for stopping by today and God bless you!!!

It's Friday!!!!  And not just any Friday - but a Friday with a new challenge at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge!  Whoo-hoo!!!  This round the challenge theme is "Orange and Black" - what else would you expect with Halloween right around the corner.  Now I must confess, Halloween is not a holiday that I tend to celebrate....so I chose an image that was more Fall-like rather than Halloween.  Since the image is a silhouette it was easy to get the "black" part of the challenge...but the orange - now that was a different story.  I thought of a sunset and decided to try and create one....so I got out the Spectrum Noir markers and started trying to find the right color of "orange".  When I found it I started coloring but guess what happened?  It was almost out of ink!  UGH!  So I had to use a couple more colors I wasn't planning on using...and when it was done - I was happy!  Imagine that - something that I thought was going horribly wrong turned out to look good to me!  So just add some black & orange bling along with some paper and this is what you get:
 

 I hope you come by and play with us at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.  The rules are simple - use orange and black for the challenge - and of course, always use an image.  You can use any image you like, although we would be tickled pink if you used a Pattie's Creations image.  

Thank you for stopping by today.  Have a very blessed day!!!!

Happy Friday!  WOW, it has been a long week...and I'm so thankful that Friday is here.  And not only is it Friday - but it's a new challenge Friday over at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.  This challenge is to use a ribbon on the front of your card/project.  I love to use ribbon - it's one of my go-to items.  For this card I used "Cuddles on Rocking Horse" for the image and colored it with Spectrum Noir markers.  I love the image because not only can it be used for a baby card, but for a card for any child or even an adult.  The ribbon was a piece of left over ribbon that I tied in the corner in a bow.  Here's the final result:


Come on over and join us for this round.  Remember that you must us a stamped/digi image on the front of your card along with ribbon in some way...and while you don't have to use one of Pattie's images, we would be thrilled if you did!

God bless you today!  Thank you for stopping by....

Happy Friday!!!  We've made it to the end of another week....and we've also made it the beginning of a new challenge at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge!  Who doesn't love animals?  Even if you aren't one who has furry friends living with you we all have those cute animal stamps or digi's that we use.  It's time to get them out and join us in our Animal Challenge at Pattie's Creations.  And guess what?  There is no excuse because if you don't have an animal stamp - or you're just tired of yours and want a new one - head on over to Pattie's Etsy Shop because all her images are on SALE!!!  Yep - every image is on sale 40% off (use coupon code PATTIEBOOP1 at checkout).  And I'm sure you'll find more than just one animal digi that you can't resist!  LOL!!

For my card I used "Mr. Bookworm with Books".  Isn't he just the cutest little worm you've ever seen?  I colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers and then just layered it up with pieces-parts of leftover cardstock and paper.
 


So come on over and join us at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge....and head on over to Pattie's Etsy shop to join in the sale.....you only have until Sept 22nd to cash in on this incredible event!!!

Thanks for stopping by today and have a very blessed day!!!!

I'm late - I'm late - for a very important date!!  But better late than never right?  I sure hope so!

This time at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge we are celebrating!  What are we celebrating?  Well, it can be anything you want to celebrate....giving a gift this week?  Or next?  You'll need a gift tag to make that package complete...so why not make one and not only use it for your gift - but also enter into our challenge which is Gift Tags (no cards).  Remember the rule at Pattie's Creations....you must always use an image.

When I was trying to decide what image to use for my tag, this little penguin kept catching my eye...don't you think he's adorable???  You can find him at Pattie's Etsy Shop along with many other wonderful images!  I usually don't make tags so mine isn't the best, but it's an attempt and isn't that what challenges are all about anyway - to help us go outside our comfort zone?  I used some papers I had in my stash of pieces/parts.  I love using them - makes me feel a sense of accomplishment since I used something that would normally go in the trash.  Of course with just about anything I make, I had to either add buttons or bling...and this time it just cried out for some bling.  The final result:


Alright - you know the drill - now it's your turn!  Come on over to Pattie's Creations Design Challenge and show us your tags!  I'll be looking for you!!!  

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by and visit me.  I sincerely appreciate it and am honored.  God bless you!!!!

Happy Friday!!  It's time for a new challenge at Pattie's Creations and this week it's one that anyone and everyone can join in because it's ANYTHING GOES!  Now admit it - we all love those challenges because it's time for us to just show off whatever we've been working on - or create something new.  And when it's Anything Goes, there are no guidelines to follow...you can just let your creativity shine!  

Even though it's still August, here in Ohio we have been having some Fall temperatures lately.  Believe me, I'm not complaining!  There's only so much that you can take off and still be modest when it's hot and humid.  I'm looking forward to Fall and the colors it brings.  It's my favorite time of the year.  One of the things I love about Fall is the Mum's.  In our small town we even have a Mum Festival!  For my creation this week I chose "Mums in a Basket".  I wanted to keep it rustic and soft so I used pencils to color it...and when I colored the flowers I wanted them to be more full so I took some liberty with the image and colored all around the lines too making the flowers full and the lines more like defined petals.  I really liked how it turned out.  Now admittedly the picture isn't the best.  I was running so late when I took the picture and didn't even notice it wasn't a great picture until I pulled it up to send it...but I didn't have time to retake it.  

So join in the fun and let's see what you create in the next couple weeks.  Remember that at Pattie's Creations you must use a stamped or digital image in your project some way.  Thanks for stopping by!! 

I am truly blessed!!  I'm blessed to be on a few amazing design teams...I mean gee, who would have thought that I would ever be on design teams?  I see the work of others and always think mine is never up to those standards....but somehow I've been accepted to be part of several great groups...maybe they took pity on me.  LOL!!!  But guess what?  I've been blessed to be accepted to another great design team:  Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.  Of course if you participate in the challenge (which is every other week), we encourage you to use one of "Pattie's Creations" - yep, she has such neat images - but of course you can use any stamped/digital image if you like.  But remember - your project must include a stamped or digital image somewhere on your creation for you to be eligible for the drawing.  

This week the challenge is for any type of embossing.  The theme of you card can be anything - Birthday, Wedding, Just Because, Baby....if you wanted to make a card for Ice Cream Day you could - just make sure there is embossing on it.  I've mentioned before that I make card for our local pregnancy center so any time I get a chance to make a baby card I do.  When I saw this "PB Duckie" I fell in love!  Isn't he just adorable??  I colored him with markers and then went over his vest and tie with Spica Glitter pens to give him some sparkle.  I don't have a baby themed embossing folder but I thought this old Cuttlebug folder of circles was fun.  Add some buttons and voila - instant baby card!  





So come on over to Pattie's Creations Challenge and join in the fun!  I look forward to seeing you there.  Have a very blessed day!!!!!