To everything there is a season...

I made this card for this month's Serendipity Challenge.  The link to the Challenge can be found here

http://serendipitystampschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/sscb35-summers-last-hurrah.html

I'm putting in a very late entry...For one thing I was kind of stumped as to what I could use for this month's theme  "Summer's last Hurrah"  and then it hit me about the Season change, and realized that my Scripture stamp from Serendipity would work...

"To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaver." Ecclesiastes 3:1

The scripture above is my very favorite scripture verse.

Besides using the Serendipity stamp, my  card was made using a Martha Stewart Punch around the Page punch.  (Deco fan).  I also used a The Crop-o-dile Corner Chopper to round my corners.   I used my bow easy to make my bow (the ribbon was from Pure Color).  and I added dimensionals.  (and, when and if I find what I did with my sequins...I might add a few of those too...smile)

My card made weekly Favorites
Yesterday was a very special day.  It was one of those perfect Autumn days.  A day that was just a delight to meet up with friends for breakfast.  Hubby and I met with Kathi and Cherie for breakfast to help celebrate Cherie's birthday!

We had hoped to go to a different place for breakfast (so Cherie could get a free breakfast, but we ended up getting a late start. (Breakfast would have been over at that restaurant.  So I suggested maybe we go to A different restaurant.  I couldn't remember the exact name but I thought it was called Squirrel Something.  We had only been there twice before, but I remembered that they had breakfast till maybe 2:00.  Kathi and Cheri had trouble finding the place I mentioned so Kathi called me on the phone and said did you mean Squires?  Until then I didn't realize I had the name wrong!

Okay, now you can laugh!  They sure did.  What is wrong with me?  Who would name their restaurant Squirrel something...   There probably would be people thinking they served squirrel on their menu.   BELIEVE ME, I WILL NOT LIVE THIS ONE DOWN FOR A LONG TIME!  If Ever.!  But we sure had a few good laughs over this one.

 I have a pic of us eating at the restaurant, but I couldn't get a hold of the ladies in the pic to ask permission to post the pic.  (I try not to post anything on my blog unless I have permission)
So you will probably miss the pic and won't see that my shirt almost matches the wallpaper in the background!  Again, what was I thinking?...and maybe you won't get to see the pic even with their permission.  smile.  The food was great and they even had entertainment as the sign below reads.

  This was not a fast food restaurant  (but the service was still good!)

 A another funny post script...Jim and I left their company early.  They still wanted to do some shopping.  I found out that after we left.  Cherie received a call from her daughter, telling her that there was a squirrel in their house.  What should she do? At first Cherie thought this was some kind of Joke that Kathi or I had told her about the "Squirrel" restaurant!  Not!  Of course, her daughter wanted her Mom to come right home...but they were too far away.  So Cherie told her to take the cat crate and put some peanuts in it to see if she can catch the squirrel and take it outside.  It did not work.  Cherie has this potted tree in one of her rooms, and the squirrel climbed up her potted tree and stayed there.  So her daughter ended up taking that the potted plant (with the squirrel still on it...outside.   
It took me a while to stop laughing after this phone call. 

I'm sure it's a birthday we will all remember!  If you have an extra moment please stop by and wish some belated birthday wishes to Cherie...The link to her blog is here

http://paperinspirationsandcreations.blogspot.com/

Also Happy belated birthday wishes to another dear friend, Carol    (Carol, your card will be late...but you know how busy it's been around here lately...so I'm sure you'll understand!

My Autumn card above is my birthday card for Cherie, and you know that I am going to put a picture of a squirrel inside the card.   the Squirrel image above came from

http://digitaltuesday.blogspot.com/search/label/animals

I'm also entering this card in the Twisted Sister challenge 

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/

for this week's theme fall.  and to make a card that makes you think of fall.  The first thing that always comes to mind to me...if the beautiful colors of the changing leaves.  (at the restaurant we did not stay to watch the leaves changing colors...LOL)

Edited to add...I just realized that this card would also fit...this week's Word Art Wednesday.  I like that challenge, but I often forget about adding my cards, because on  many of my cards I don't add a sentiment.  This card would fit the requirements.
The link to the challenge is here

 http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/2014/09/challenge-151-anything-goes.html
Thank you for the great challenge....

Thank you for visiting by blog today,

and I hope you  have a great weekend...

Blessings,

Jill

And PS.  We have some company coming to visit that we have not seen in years...so you know what that means...Lots of cleaning...So when the company leaves I will try and catch up on my commenting.

Dreamweaver Christmas Card

I made this card for this month's Dreamweaver challenge.  The challenge can be found here  
the challenge is called Christmas and Holidays Challenge.

The stencil that I used above (LG708)  was one that I was fortunate to win when I entered a former 
Dreamweaver challenge...This is the first time that I used it so It can be considered a NBUS!  (as in Never before used stuff!)  

I used Dreamweaver Matte Black embossing paste for my stencil.   I colored my stick on dots with a red copic marker.  Added A ribbon.

Just a reminder that the fabulous Darnell's NBUS challenge will close in two days.  If you haven't gone to Darnell's blog before......What are you waiting for?  You don't know what you are missing!  Darnell's blog posts are always so interesting...often quite funny.  (that's when I need kleenex...
she brings tears to my eyes on those!) But I so enjoy the humor...helps to make my day!  
Oh and before I forget.  She makes fabulous cards too!
I forgot to get the link to her blog, but you can find it on my sidebar!

Also, before I forget...I have a new follower that I want to welcome...Maz
Maz's fabulous work can be found here...

http://onlybyhisgracepapercrafting.blogspot.com/

Welcome to my blog, Maz, and thank you for becoming a follower!

Maz's work is Amazing...stop by for a visit to see her lovely work!  Her coloring and design are breathtakingly beautiful.

Thought for today...
"Laughter is a part of the human survival kit."~David Nathan

Thank you for visiting my blog today,
Blessings,
Jill 
Edited to add

Carol, whose wonderful blog can be found here

http://justmeclm.blogspot.com/

reminded me that this week's CASology's theme is "flutter"  and my birdie card would fit the them...thank you Carol for your thoughtfulness!

The CASology challenge can be found here...

http://casology.blogspot.com/2014/09/week-114-flutter.html

AAA Cards Challenge...fussy cutting

I made the above card for the AAA Card Challenge...this week it's fussy cutting.  I really like to do paper cutting.  When I first started making cards it was the technique I used the most.  I still like to make 3d cards...aka decoupage cards.  I don't do as many these days because all the layers need so much more for postage.  My first thought to do this challenge was to make a 3d card....then I realized it would NOT be a CAS card, and my card was also supposed to be CAS.

The AAA card challenge can be found here

My flower image was made using a peel off sticker which I colored with copics (My hubby isn't the only one who uses the copics!  Smile.  He definitely uses them more than I do, and he is also way better at using them them me.  I just fussy cut around the image, and added a die cut to the bottom of the card (unknown)  the die was borrowed from a friend.  My thanks sentiment was made using a Stampin' Up embosslit!  I made this thank you card for one of our neighbor's who gave us this lovely bouquet of flowers!

"Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude.  
Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness.
Thankfulness may consist merely of words.
Gratitude is shown in acts."
~David O.McKay

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Blessings,
Jill

Victoria

I

I made this card using a digi image from Sugar Nellie.  The image was colored with copics by my hubby....

http://irishdreamweaver.blogspot.com/

The image is called Victoria, and it was purchased at Funky Kits.  

Jim used Y000, Y13, YG17, E31, E57, C0, RV63, B14, B0000, E000, E00, Rv000, E31, R02, E33,

Thank you all for visiting my hubby and giving the birthday wishes.  He so appreciated it.  You helped to make his day special.  

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot

See the shadow.

It's What sunflowers do."

~Helen Keller

Thank you for visiting my blog today,

Blessings,

Jill

Happy Birthday to my Husband

Today's is my hubby's birthday...and if you have an extra moment...
Please stop by and wish him Happy Birthday...thanks...

Jim's blog can be found at the Link below...

http://irishdreamweaver.blogspot.com/

And Thank you Darnell for the shout out on your blog...so appreciated!

http://www.djkardkreations.com/

Happy Birthday!!!

Hope it's a really special day...from you Other half...

Jim I hoped to do up a more special post than this...but as you would know....it's been a very busy time...

Thank you for the special brownies you made for me this morning.    (They were chocolate...just delicious!)

"To the World, You may be one person, But to me, you are the world."  Love, from your wife

Using Fabric on cards

 First, I want to show you the beautiful surprise my hubby had for me today...He went out to get some groceries and came back with these pretty flowers for me...No it's not my birthday, and our anniversary was two weeks ago.  It was just to help "lift of my spirits"!   and they did!  Pink is obviously my favorite color, and roses my favorite flowers.

In regard to the card that I most recently posted....and the lovely commentes I received...
Thank you all so very much.  I don't think everyone understood the card was made using fabric. (and the image was already colored)  I have made several cards now that I have posted on my blog that   used  fabric...It may not be a technique that everyone likes because it does involve some fussy cutting...but I like to do fussy cutting.  I think if you pick a fabric with easy cutting lines...it would be an especially fast and easy card to make...

The picture that I have posted above shows the nurse fabric that I used on my last card!  The fabric is by Loralie Designs..  The rubber stamps I show above is also from Loralie Designs, those I purchased at a local stamp show.

The website for Loralie designs can be found here...

http://www.loraliedesigns.com/collections/all-fabric?page=9

http://www.loraliedesigns.com/

I'm going to do a disclaimer here...I'm not affiliated with any of the links that I am posting today...

I purchased my fabric for my cards here...

http://farmhousememoriesblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/autumn-cards-club-sneak-peek.html

http://farmhousememoriesblog.blogspot.com/

Rachel, owner of Farmhouse Memories gave me permission to post the link to her store on my blog.

I don' think you can order from her on line...but her blog gives lots of great ideas on how to use fabric on cards, and fabric for small gifts...  Her ideas almost make me want to get out my sewing machine again...

There was a time that my hubby thought I was attached to the sewing machine.  I still have some of my hoarded fabric.  I have given a lot of it away, but I was happy to find a non sewing use for some of the fabric that I did keep.

  If you are ever visiting in the Lancaster, PA area...stop by to visit her fabulous store it is both scrapbooking supplies and fabric!

Below I found a Utube video showing one way to use fabric on cards.

The lady uses glue stick...I use sticky paper...You just have to make sure that you use something that will keep the fabric from fraying.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv9gvOzj1H4

This is a video that I found at Split Coast stampers that shows you how to stamp on fabric

and use fabric not just as your focal point, but for a background...really neat idea... One I think I'm going to try.  Especially since I think the card in the video is kind of cute!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACSO17fXUpQ

The fabric of friendship

is a patchwork of love.

Each stitch loops one life to another,

 and hold fast the like and the unlike,

in perfect harmony.

Thank you for visiting my blog today...

Blessings,

Jill

Birthday card for a friend

This is a card I made for a friend  (My crafting buddy, Kathi!) I made the card using Fabric again. 
The Fabric is from Loralie Designs. The Happy Birthday sentiment was stamped with a rubber stamp from Stampin' Up.  The bottom sentiment was Computer Generated.

I apologize for not being around and commenting as much these last couple of days.  I have had lots of appointments and not have been feeling well.  Hopefully, I'm on the mend.


Thought for today...
"If the future seems overwhelming, remember that it comes one moment at a time."
~Beth Mende Conny

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Blessings,
Jill 

Edited to add...
I'm adding this to Darnell's challenge...

The link to Darnell's Challenge can be found here....

 http://www.djkardkreations.com/
My image (the fabric is new and never before used!

Darnell, Your challenge is always so much fun...and I wanted to post now so I was sure not to miss it...Have a lot going on right now...may not get a chance to post later...
Thanks for all you do...So appreciate your blog, and your lovely supportive comments...
So happy for you with this new milestone...
..
 

Twisted Sister's Challenge "direction"

At Split Coast Stampers, It was my turn this week to give the weekly challenge.  I chose to give a challenge using the word "direction"     A card could made using whatever came to mind with using this word.

I made my card for my grandson.  (In college)  I usually make him an encouragement card
when he starts school each year.  In his very first year of school...Kindergarten...His favorite books were the Dr Seuss books.  Every time I would to go his house, I would be greeted by him handing me his favorite Dr Seuss books to read over and over.  So It's become kind of a joke with us...
Last year's card was this same quote but with a picture of sneakers on it.

This was not the first card I made for the "direction" challenge.  The first one is sitting at the bottom of my trash can...needed to go onto Plan B.  (which happens a lot with me.  

"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
In any direction you choose 

Oh no, I just realized that I made a mistake on this card.
I'm going to give it to him anyway.  It will be a test to see
how observant he is...and if he really does look at my cards.
LOL!     

You're on your own,
And you know what
You know, You are
the guy who'll decide
Where to go...
Dr. Seuss


Thank you for visiting my blog today,
Blessings,
Jill

Card made with Vellum

 I went to visit Julia Stainton of "Belle Papier" to see what she has made lately and I found her beautiful card made with Vellum...so I thought I would give it a try.  When I was finished with my card...I thought it might be eligible for the Case Study Challenge.  (I don't remember entering this Challenge before)
Isn't the inspiration card beautiful?  (Now,  of course, I want that stamp.  smile)
Here is my simple version.  I used a stamp from SweetNSassy  (Happy Place)  I inked the stamp with Versamark, and heat embossed with WOW white embossing powder, and colored the back of the vellum with copics.  Added a ribbon, and a sizzix die cut for my sentiment!

 Here is the link for the challenge

http://casestudychallenge.blogspot.ca/2014/09/case-study-challenge-207.html

Recently, I went on Benzi's blog and I found this beautiful card that Benzi made

http://benzistampz.blogspot.com/2014/08/cut-out-panel.html

Benzi was inspired by a card she found here...

 

http://mailebelles.blogspot.com/2014/08/cutout-panels.html

I don't think I did my card correctly.  I need to go back and reread the directions...smile 

(there's more comments to read and more directions in the comments which will probably be useful to me ... I have a difficult time thinking out of the box...so I need directions...

My card was made using a Sugar Nellie, digi from Funky Kits! The image was colored with copics by my husband!

*****************************

I am so happy that I have two new followers...

Bibiana of 

http://stampingwithbibiana.blogspot.com/

I have been following Bibiana's blog for a while now, and I am so amazed at her creativity.  She is so good at giving step by step directions on how she makes her cards and projects, and has some great tutorial's on her blog.  I have learned some great ideas and tips from her blog. Thank you, Bibiana, for the inspiration and for following my blog.

And Welcome to my blog, Jacee. of "Simply Paper"

Jacee's blog can be found here...

http://simplypapercarddesign.blogspot.com/

Jacee's cards are awesome.  It takes me what seems like forever to make a card...  And that is with mostly decorating just the card front!

Inside, I usually just put a simple sentiment...

Jacee, not only makes the cards look fabulous on the outside, she does it on the INSIDE  too!  and often with a matching envelope.  "Wow"!  Is all I can say!  I am so impressed!  I'm sure you will be too when You visit her blog.  Thank you for following my blog too, Jacee.  I am so happy to have found your blog (thanks to Darnell)  You have so inspired me. 

Thought for Today

"Help one person at a Time and always start with the person Nearest you."  Mother Teresa

Thank you for visiting my blog today,

Blessings,

Jill 

Serendipity Challenge Missing you...

This is for this Month's Serendipity Stamps Challenge.  Miss you!  I thought that this theme would be appropriate for a Christmas card for me to add to my stash.  We have so many of our family that have moved so far away from us.  It's family that we used to see at Christmas time.  When Christmas comes around I so miss seeing them.

The link for the challenge can be found here...

http://serendipitystampschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/sscb34-missing-you.html

My Serendipity Stamp is Christmas Dove 679J.  My image was colored with copics by my hubby.
Opaque white, R05, R29m E07, E27...
I added a ribbon and a bow using my Bow easy, My sentiment is computer generated and cut out using a Spellbinder, Shapeabilities die...Back to Basics Tags.


"Family and Friends are the true gifts of Christmas."

Thank you for all the Anniversary Wishes!  They are so appreciated.

Also, thank you for  visiting my blog today..
Blessings,
Jill