Tuesday, July 26, 2011

A Dream Come True and a Little Inspiration

Just popped in, not to blow my own horn, but to thank those on the Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge Team for chosing my card as one of the Top 3 in the last World Challenge.  EB stamps were my first to purchase a little over 2 1/2 years ago when I started making cards and I've always loved her adorable and sweet designs.  This is truly a dream come true! 

I also want to thank all the fantastic designers out there in blogloand for their inspiration and help with different techniques and sharing their amazing designs. Thanks to to my wonderful followers for the ongoing support and comments you leave me. Without your encouragement I'm not sure that I would have continued blogging and creating this long.  You have definately filled a void in my life and given me a reason to continue with a craft I love doing and sharing.  I am so honored and humbled.

For the newbies that stop by to visit or those of you that may be new to blogland, if you love creating please keep pursuing your dreams of designing, learning new techniques and sharing with others. Your rewards will be endless and you may just touch someones heart along the way.

I've been so busy making baby shower invitations and getting my DT cards done for some challenges in August that I haven't posted for awhile but I'll be back real soon with something share.  Catching up tonight on commenting to see what I've missed out on the past few days. Have a wonderful week!
"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Saturday, July 23, 2011

ALERT #2 MARIANNE DESIGN DIVAS CHALLENGE BLOG - AUGUST 2011


WOW! Another new challenge blog for August, Marianne Design Divas.  Looks like things are gearing up in Blogland for some fun and exciting new challenges come August.  These dies are finally becoming available in the US and they are so beautiful and intricate.  If you haven't used any of them yet you will be in for a real treat.  You also have the opportunity to apply for the Design Divas DT but hurry, entry closes July 31st.

Thanks again for stopping by.  Scroll down to see the post about the Whimsy Stamp Challenge Blog also new in August. 
"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny) 

ALERT - NEW CHALLENGE BLOG COMING AUGUST 10


YEAH!  Whimsy Stamps will be starting a new challenge blog on Wednesday, August 10th.  I know a lot of you play in challenges where you can win Whimsy Stamps and now you have the chance to actually play in Whimsy challenges for the opportunity to be a Guest Designer and win fabulous stamps.  Now head on over to the challenge blog to see what's new and how you can win this.


Thanks for stopping by and I hope to be back later today with a new post. Have a wonderful weekend! "Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Christmas in July

 Can you believe it's the middle of July already.  Seems like just yesterday we were wishing for warmer weather and summer.  Here in the Midwest we have all and more than we'd wished for.....  The heat idiocies have been in the 100's now for a week with no relief in sight.  The other day the heat index here was 128. Had to be a record!  Oh well, it's just something we can't do anything about except remember how much better it is than 20 below zero with blowing snow (soon to be upon us again).   Somebody please slow the world down a little bit.

My card today is for a few Christmas in July challenges, more than I would normally enter at one time but I'm really wanting to play so play.......those challenges are:

Sketch N Stash Challenge - The sketch I used
Paper Sundaes - Christmas in July
Allsorts - Free & Easy
Jellypark Friends - Christmas in July (New Challenge Blog)
Stamp Something - Christmas in July Somethings

The image and sentiment are from LOTV 2010 Christmas Set 4 and colored with Copics. The poinsettias and metal corner are from WOC.  The DP is from the BG Wassill 6 x 6 pad and matting is Cranberry from CM.  I added white velvet flock to his hat and used Polar White FS for the snow.  Stickles were added because I love shiny and glitzy ribbon on packages.  Just could not seem to get the camera to focus today and I apologize for the poor quality of the picture.

Thanks so very much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon.  If you have the time to leave me a comment I'll be sure and hop on over to visit. 
"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Thursday, July 14, 2011

"Dare to Dream" - Edited to Add Title

Gosh it's Thursday already and the weekend is almost upon us.  Can't believe I've been so busy and having so much fun playing in the craft room this week.  I've neglected getting around to visit the past couple of days as I've been trying to get my 4 cards for CCAYR August challenge completed and still play in other challenges. I've found out that if I take as much time to play and create as I do on the computer I can get a lot more done.....lol  With that said, this evening I'll be devoting my time to getting around to visit all of you that have left comments and some of you that have probably been as busy I have creating with little computer time on your schedule.

My card today is for the following challenges:
Crafting  Life's Pieces (CLP) - Sketch #38 - Monthly Challenge
Bells'n Whistles - EB Image, Flower & Pearls
Whiff of Joy (WOJ) - WOJ Stamp, Lace & Pearls
Elphine House Australia - EB Image & Lace

I've used 2 stamps from WOJ Spring Stamp Kit, "Dare to Dream" and "Spring Tree", masking the dream stamp prior to stamping the tree and then colored with Copics.  Dress: E99, 97, 95, E01; Hair: E59, 53, 50; Skin: E21, 00, 000, R20; Leaves: YG63, 03, G20; Tree: E49, 47, 44, 42.  Flowers are from WOC, MS Bough Punch. Lace is from WOC with pearls added to the centers. Pearls on dress were made using Viva Decor Ice White Liquid Pearls.  One of the shelves  in my paper cabinet fell and all of my loose 6 x 6 papers are a mess so I have no idea of the name of the  DP but it was distressed with Tattered Rose.  I also added Chocolate Spica to the center of the flowers.

Oh, I almost forgot to let you know that my card for the LOTV challenge made top 3 this week and I am so excited and honored to have been chosen from among so many talented designers.  Almost fell out of my chair and then stood up yelling and jumping for joy.  My hubby thought I'd lost my mind and when I told him he just said, "Oh, good for you".  Not a lot of enthusiasm there.......lol

Well, got to get back to finishing a couple of cards for August CCAYR.  Hope you have the time to leave me a comment because I WILL get by to visit, if not tonight then soon.  I'm sure I've missed out seeing some wonderful and exciting creations and that I'll be back tracking on some of your blogs so I don't miss anything.

Have a wonderful weekend ahead, stay safe & be happy.
"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

LOTV Sketch Challenge by Donalda


Getting ready for another big storm here in just a few but wanted to make sure I got this posted in time for the challenge over at LOTV so gonna be a short and quick post.  This sketch by Donalda was so much fun to work and I finally got to use one of the "girlie" images from LOTV's "Oh So Girlie" set.  Isn't she cute!

Image was colored with Copics, embellies are a die from Marianne, MS Bough punch, flowers from WOC and Prima.  DP is from my stash.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I sure hope you have the time to leave me a quick note so I won't miss out on seeing your new and wonderful creations.  Have a wonderful evening and I'll see ya again soon.
"Love & Hugs" Carol

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Wee Snippet & Mystic

Wee Snippet and Mystic stole my heart when released by Chrissy Armstrong and I've finally made the time to color them up.  Mystic looks a lot grayer in the photo than he really is but aren't they just the cutest.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Flutterby Wednesdays - Butterfly, Fairy or Angel 
Sentimental Sundays - Inky Fingers

The DP is from Bo Bunny's Jazmayne Twilight and the plain card stock from my scraps.  I made a shadow box for the image instead of matting and added that gorgeous butterfly from my stash.  An MS border punch was used to create the decorative sides and the image was colored with Copics.

This has been my first week ever of experiencing problems with blogger, posting, and commenting so I hope whatever is going on is fixed soon because it's so disheartening to leave a comment 2 or 3 times and still not have it show up.  It hasn't happened on every blog but so many of you that I've visited the comment was not accepted.  I haven't missed visiting any of you that have left me comments this week and I do want you to know I did stop by and will continue to stop by until whatever they are doing is fixed and it will take my comment.  I had to try 3 times this morning before it would even let me post and was about ready to pull out my hair (what little I have anymore........LOL).

We think they may have the electrical problem fixed, but not 100% sure, so it's a wait and see game we are still playing.  The front of the house is almost complete except for the new railing, wrapping the windows and new posts, and new doorway.  We are going to have a new electrical breaker box installed before winter but I'm getting my Christmas shopping done first or I won't have any money to shop.......lol. 
Santa is not bypassing this house!

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon. Hopefully today I will be able to leave some comments as I visit all of you.  My goal is to visit everyone on my Blogging Friends List so I'll be on and off most of the day and evening.  Have a wonderful Sunday!
"Love & Hugs" Carol

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Mostly Purples

Lots of purple on this card without a whole lot of extras.  I had intended to enter this in the challenge at Karen's Doodles and didn't get it posted in time but I did find a couple that I think it will work for and those are:

Allsorts - "Free & Easy for the month of July"
The challenge will be the same all month but each week there will be new sponsors and winners so be sure you head on over and play along.

I'm really cutting it close on this one...lol  (2 + flowers & leaves, 2 punched edges, 2 red birds, 2 + DP)

Card Deets:
  • Digital DP (sorry but I don't remember where I got it)
  • Image from Karen's Doodles (Pretty Princess) colored with Copics, stickles & spic pen accents
  • MS Scalloped Border Punch and Branch Punch
  • WOC Flowers
  • MS Butterfly punched out with vellum paper and grape stickles added
Thanks a bunch for stopping by and I sure hope you have the time to leave me a comment.  I think I'm caught up on my visiting except for today and that's next on the agenda. Amongst the household repairs taking place I've just quit doing whatever I was doing and am back to blogging and creating.  When there is only so much one can do it's time to let go and get with the program and do the things we most love to do in life.  The older you get the faster time goes and I'm through stressing with things beyond my control. 

Almost the weekend again so hope you all have some fun plans and enjoying the season where ever you are.
"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Sneak Peek #4

Click on the picture to take you to the link to enter to win this cute new stamp.
"Hugs" Carol

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

In2Stamps Sneak Peeks


Little late finding out about this so I'm sharing all 3 current sneak peeks in this post.  You may be lucky enough to win one of these adorable new stamps being released the end of July so be sure you click on the picture for the link to each sneak peek and to find out what you need to do to win.




I know a lot of you will find these images as cute as I do, and no, I'm not on the DT nor am I promoting anything, just sharing some new stamps that are adorable that maybe some of us will be lucky enough to win.  Good luck in the draw!
"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Happy Tuesday & DT Announcement

Hope all of you in the states had a wonderful Independence Day yesterday with lots of fun family activities and capping the evening off with some spectacular fireworks displays.  Seems each summer holiday brings us closer to winter and that wonderful and magical time of the year we call Christmas.  As most of you know, Christmas is my favorite holiday and season. 

I'm so excited and happy to let you know that I've been chosen to be on the Christmas Cards All Year Round design team beginning in August and can't wait to share the challenges with you each month.  You'll want to be sure and check out the blog the beginning of each month for some really exciting and fun challenges, plus, you'll have a whole month to submit your entries.  A special thanks to Colleen and Lesley for creating such a fun blog.  I'm really looking forward to working with the rest of the new team and seeing all their fantastic creations for 2011.

Here's looking forward to seeing you play along with us and your wonderful holiday creations.  It's never too soon to start that Christmas list we all put off till the last minute. I know I'm one of the world's worst about procrastinating on getting my cards made.  You still have almost this whole month to play along too so check out the challenge for July at CCAYR and I hope to see you there.

Have a wonderful week!
"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Sunday, July 3, 2011

EB June/July Project - It's A Sketch

Since I'm always late getting my card submitted for this monthly challenge I thought I would really be early so I don't miss it again.  I have a couple of other cards ready to post but can't post them yet so I'm going ahead and sharing this one with you.  I just love these little fairies by Elizabeth Bell and they are available at Bells'n WhistlesThis little one here is titled "Fairy Wishes".  Isn't she just the cutest! 

The DP is from my stash and I have no idea of the name of it.  The lace and flower are from WOC. The punches used were Fiskars heart border and MS branch.  Colored with Copics, stickles and gems from stash were added.  The sentiment is from Do It With Digi's.  Also used were liquid pearls on the mushroom and on the heart border. I really liked the pearlized shine it gave to the border.

We went to a fireworks display in the country with my daughter, SIL Jim, and son John.  It was so spectacular and as big as any city display I've ever seen.  It's an every year event hosted by the owner of one of the major construction suppliers for his customers, friends, and family and always held July 3rd.  We had such a great time you can bet we won't miss another one.  Everything is so beautiful in the country and the fireworks were held behind their large pond which reflected the lights on the water.  Totally awesome!

Here's wishing you all a safe and happy July 4th, Independence Day in the USA and for those elsewhere a wonderful weekend.  Thanks so much for stopping by and I sure hope you have the time to leave me a comment so I don't miss hopping by to see what's new with you.
"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)