43 years in love....and Blog Candy Giveaway

 

43 years ago my high school sweetheart and I said, "I do".  "For better, for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer....".  We've seen all that and could have added a few more.  ;-) 

The road has not always been smooth but the destination has been so worth the ride.  We can truly say we love each other more now.  Our love is sweeter because we've weathered the trials...together.  Sometimes hanging on by our fingertips, but hanging on.   

They say marriage is a marathon, not a sprint.  Having run a half marathon, I can attest to that....there is the initial euphoria of the start, the exhaustion, frustration and pain of the hills, brief downhill sprints, the fear of not being able to finish, then, you catch your second wind and the exultation at the prospect of the finish line looms...

So to the love of my life, I say, thank you for loving me...at my best and at my worst.

                                         

The card and flowers he picked out and arranged himself. We have a date for next week when my pain and his busy schedule allows us time for a proper celebration.  I can't wait!

I want to include you too....so for hanging in there while I've been recuperating and catching up, I have a present for you!  How about a $25 gift certificate to Sparkle N Sprinkle?   Now that's your choice of stamps, glitter, embossing powder, cut files....all in one cool place!

Here's all you have to do...since this is the season of love, leave me a comment telling me who you love and why.  If you have a blog...pass the word on...if not, that's ok too.  I will draw a winner on Tuesday, January 31st. 

Teapot Tuesday - Spongebob for Joshua

Sometimes you hear a story that just touches your heart and makes you realize that no matter what you're going through, there is someone who is struggling much more in this life than you are.

Such is the case with Joshua Parker.  This brave little guy is just 5 years old.  You can read Joshua's Caring Bridge post here and the Teapot Tuesday Challenge is here.

Joshua LOVES Spongebob so we're sending him Spongebob valentines.  I didn't know a thing about Spongebob so I did a bit of "researching" and found out that he's a kitchen sponge who ended up in the sea.  Go figure!

I found a coloring page online and colored old Bob with Copics, cut him out, then dumped him in the sea with some beautiful Webster's Pages DP.

If you'd like to send Joshua a card, please DO NOT send get well cards. Make them Valentine or happy cards, please.  You will understand when you read his story.

The mailing address is:

Joshua Parker
c/o Mel DeLlanos
405 Swan St.
West Burlington, IA  52655

Have a blessed day!

Love is in the Air

"My heart is ever at your service."

William Shakespeare

It's the season of Love and May Arts Ribbon has partnered with Helmar Adhesives to bring you a week of crafty projects that are sure to get your mojo going.

Here's a sneak peek at one of my card creations on the May Arts Ribbon blog.  Be sure to pop over and leave a comment...we're giving prizes!

a single rose

Thanks to everyone who's been hanging in with me while I've been recuperating from my fall down the stairs.  It looks like I'll have a few months of physical therapy to do but hopefully, the pain will continue to subside and my mojo will kick back in. 

On a brighter note, I was able to actually make a card today!  This is the for the Rubbernecker Sisterhood sketch challenge SS5. 

                                                           

                                                           

The rose was stamped twice on X Press It card.  I cut out the image, then glued one down.  I then cut out the flower and petal from the second image and mounted them on top of the first image with foam tape.

Supplies

Card size - 5" x 5"

Stamps - Rubbernecker Single Leaf Rose (531-01)

Paper - X Press It Card; Papertrey Smokey Shadow/Vintage Cream; K & Co. Black/Ivory Fusion

Ink - Tsukineko Memento; Copics

Other - May Arts 1/4" black silk, Cuttlebug EB folder; MS butterfly punch, Spellbinders Circle dies, stick on pearls, corner rounder, foam tape

Happy New Year!

We're back from Christmas vacation spent with our two adorable munchkin grandchildren.  Is there anything more wonderful than watching a child's face on Christmas morning?  I hope you all had a safe and happy Christmas season.

I took a major tumble down the stairs on Christmas morning so sitting is not an enjoyable condition presently.  No broken bones, thankfully, but some internal bruising and many sore muscles.  Let's just say bifocals, puppies and long stairways aren't a good mix.  I hope a few more days of healing will get me back in the craft studio. 

In the meantime, May Arts is celebrating the New Year with a grand giveaway. Be sure to pop over and comment to win. 

While you're there, I have a fun tutorial that you can do with your kids.  When the weather is too cold to build snowmen outside, you can build some inside!  No mittens required.   Here's a little preview.  They're super fun and easy! 

Quick...I need a Gift Card Holder!

Time for those last minute gift cards and no boring presentations here.  Head over to the May Arts blog to peek at the inside and a tutorial link.  See that gorgeous DP and cardstock?  It's all from Bazzill.   Love, love it.

It will be Valentine's Day before we know it and Bazzill has that covered too.  Here's sneak peek at a card I've made using a new line from Bazzill that's also on the May Arts blog.

Can you say happy and bright? 
Wishing you and yours a very blessed and Merry Christmas!  See you after the holiday!

Sparkle N Sprinkle Valentines in December

I've moved on from Christmas cards and have been making some Valentines...now that has to be a first!

This card that reminds me of the Valentines we gave as kids.  A simple one layer card with a lollipop treat attached.  Nothing too mushy so the boys will be happy and just enough ribbon and scallops to please the girls in colors they'll both approve of.

This CAS card was made from the same set called Bird Swirl...love the versatility!  One for the kids and one for the grown ups!

You can find tutorials and supply lists for both cards here on the Sparkle N Sprinkle site along with some other samples by the designers.  SNS is offering free shipping right now too!

Clean & Simple Monday - Up, up and away!

The CAS149 Challenge on Splitcoast is a cool sketch by Winter DT member and fellow Rubbernecker teamie, Charlene Merrick. 

I needed a birthday card (fast) for a boy who will be 12 right after Christmas.  I love this sketch!

Supplies:
Card size - 4.25" x 4.25"
Paper - Neenah; American Crafts City Park, X-Pressit
Stamps - Papertrey Up, Up and Away
Ink - Memento, Copic markers
Other - PTI metal dies, silver brad, foam tape (large balloon is popped up)


Thanks for stopping by...almost time to make the cookie trays.  :-)

Sisterhood Sunday Challenge SS4

It's time for another Rubbernecker Sisterhood Sunday Challenge SS4. 

This week, we've got the blues, figuratively speaking, of course!  Head on over to the blog to see the inspiration photo and the details for the challenge.  Of course there's a prize for the weekly winner.  In addition, the weekly winners go into a drawing at the end of the month for an entire set of your choice. 

                                            

I rarely use blue, I mean, like almost never, but I gave it a shot.

Those cool chipboard stars came in a package already glittered from the Dollar Store!

I've got a few more gifts to wrap, then it's time to get ready to see the grandchildren for Christmas morning.  Is your shopping finished?

Supplies:

Stamps - Rubbernecker Universe Text 25-18, Snowflake Set - 587

Paper - Neenah; DCWV Winter Wonder Stack; Bazzill, Papertrey Ink

Ink - Versamark; Brilliance Mediterranean Blue

Other - May Arts Ribbon; chipboard stars, foam squares



Foodie Friday - Martha Stewart's Gingerbread

One of our holiday traditions has become these giant Gingerbread Snowflakes (this is the recipe I use).

Everyone loves them and they're not at all difficult to make.

Here's all the gingerbread finished and drying....You can see the size of the snowflakes compared to the trees which are quite large themselves. I made some smaller snowflakes as well for those who aren't into sharing their cookies!!

This giant cookie measures 7 inches across so there's enough to share with someone special.

This photo is just before I shook off the excess sugar.

How's your Christmas baking coming along?  Do you bake or do you buy your Christmas cookies? 

Don't forget...today is the last day of the May Arts/ Graphic 45 Blog Week.  Be sure to stop in and see what Friday's Design Teams have in store for you.

Be My Valentine Skipping Stones Design Sketch

I don't believe it myself so pick yourself up off the floor...I'm actually making Valentine cards!  Ask me if my Christmas cards are fininshed?  Of course not!

I couldn't resist the sketch at Skipping Stones Design Sketch  #106.   I just got some new Rubbernecker Stamps that were screaming for some ink and oh so cool Clear Detail Black Embossing Powder from Sparkle N Sprinkle so I decided to play along.  I seriously love this stuff so you may just see me use it on everything!

Look at that shine and detail!

Supplies:

Stamps - Rubbernecker Stamps Be My Valentine - 310-SO

Paper - Neenah base; Papertrey; Bazzill; Making Memories Sabrina 

Ink - Versamark, Copic marker

Other - SNS Black Clear Detail EP, heat gun, Spellbinders circle dies, sewing machine, netting, seam binding, paper roses, Helmar 450 Quick Dry (just like hot glue but no burns!)

 

Here's the sketch so grab some paper and ink and play along!

                                                              

Don't forget to scroll down for the May Arts/Graphic 45 Blog Hop...you've got two more days of fab projects and chances to win.

It's May Arts/Graphic 45 Blog Week!

I'm so excited...just like a kid - at Christmas!  The May Arts DT has partnered with the DT from
 - squeal like a girl -
                                                              Graphic 45!!



We've paired May Arts Ribbons and Graphics 45 to bring you a week full of fun, giveaways and projects.  We'll be posting our projects on our individual blogs so grab a cuppa something, a Christmas cookie and come along, 'cause you'll want to see it all. 

Another good part is that you get a few bites a day so you won't have to spend hours hopping around - double coolness and more cookies.  ;-)

Today is my day! Be sure to stay until the end of this post because I have links to more FABULOUS May Arts designers and awesome Graphic 45 designers. Here we go...

I'm determined to be more organized this year.  (I think I say that every year.) So, I've created a Monthly Card Organizer.  Each month has a calendar for noting special events and a pocket to insert the cards for that month.   I kept the embellishments to a minimum because I want to be sure my cards will go in each pocket undamaged.

Remember, you can click on any photo to make it larger.

Graphic 45 An ABC Primer Collection, Graphic 45 Staples Flowers; May Arts 1.5" Black/Ivory, Cotton Crochet Lace, Velvet String

Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium, Martha Stewart Snowflakes, plastic snowman, sewing machine

Graphic 45 Le' Romantique, An ABC Primer;  May Arts Champagne Silk Ribbon

Graphic 45 An ABC Primer, metal clip, sewing machine

Graphic 45 Le'Romantique, On the Boardwalk; sewing machine

Graphics On the Boardwalk, An ABC Primer; sewing machine

Graphic 45 An ABC Primer, Teresa Collins chipboard, Recollections leaves

Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium, An ABC Primer

Other Supplies

Bazzill 12 x 12; Papertrey Ink Kraft; Bind it all; Calendar Organizer Tutorial/calendar download

Be sure you check out the fabulous designs this week from the May Arts and Graphic 45 Design Teams.

Here's a list day by day...

Monday

May Arts

Latrice Murphy

Candy Rosenburg

                                                                            Graphic 45

Lynette Carroll

Jane Tregenza

Jack and Cat Curio

Tuesday

May Arts

Charlene Driggs (that's me!)

Ellen Sosnoski

Jen Shears

Graphic 45

Melaine Forbes

Laura Denison

Wednesday

May Arts

Jenifer Cowles

Jingle

Graphic 45

Robin Shakoor

Yuka Hino

Gloria Stengel

Thursday

May Arts

Jinky Kowalski

Karen Baker

Britta Swiderski

Graphic 45

Sherry Cheever

Hilde Janbroers

Friday

May Arts

Kimberly Jones

Peggy Cain

Vera Yates

Graphic 45

Tara Orr

Nancy Wethington

Nicole Eccles

Don't forget to leave your comments....you know there will be surprises.

Not a Creature was Stirring except............

one little mouse.  Here's a sneak peek!  Head on over the May Arts blog to see what this little mouse has to show you.  There's a complete supply list and tutorial as well.  As usual, leave me a comment there to win some awesome ribbon of your choice.

Stampin Sisterhood Challenge

                                                  
It's time for another Sisterhood Sunday Challenge on the Rubbernecker Stampin' Sisterhood blog.  Here's the photo for this week. 
                                                           

Here's my take.  I chose to focus on the sketch.  You can choose the lights, the colors, the sketch...whatever inspires you.

I'm not a cat lover but I do love this set of sassy cats from the Cat Set - 597.  I made two frames using Spellbinders Square dies then I popped up the black frame with foam tape. 

 I'd love to know what you think!  Remember, you have a week to play along and of course, there's a free Rubbernecker stamp of your choice and a chance for entire free set at the end of the month for one lucky stamper who plays along.

Supplies:
Cardstock - Neenah; Papertrey solids, Martha Stewart DP
Stamps - Rubbernecker Stamps Cat Set - 597
Ink - Versafine black
Other - Martha Stewart punches, Spellbinders Square dies, foam tape, Glue dots, PTI edger die