Loose Ends - PP280, CTS157, PPA285 (almost)

I received a few questions about my last two blog posts so I thought I would tie up some loose ends.........

1.  My Windows 10 upload went well but I still use Chrome - not sure about that Microsoft Edge!

2.  Picasa, my photo editing program, doesn't play well with Windows 10.  It won't automatically upload pictures from my camera disk like Windows 8.  I finally discovered that I need to open Picasa after I insert the disc.  A camera icon appears in the upper left hand corner and I can click on upload and then work as usual.

3.  The Shark Place is a real restaurant near Ron Jon's Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach - one of our favorite places to go!  

4. Surrender Dorothy was written in the sky by the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz.......not by a skywriting plane.

So now that my chores are done - a bit about my card!

      Jaydee has a fun Tic-Tac-Toe challenge for us this week at the Paper Players!  I went right across the middle with Die Cuts, Pink and Girly using stamps from Celebrate Today and Balloon Celebration. The diecut is from the Celebrate set by My Favorite Things. A touch of gold adds some girly glam!

                                               

                                       


                       I  also used the sketch from CAS(E) this sketch.......

                                               


and the colors from Pals Paper Arts........ but realized too late that I used Melon Mambo instead of Watermelon Wonder! So much for "oh I will remember those colors - I don't have to write them down"!  But the good news is that they are in the same family and could easily be substituted!

Flying By......FMS221

Part of the fun on a Florida beach is watching the small planes overhead trailing all sorts of messages behind them. So perhaps my recent trip down south inspired my card today.  My message isn't as exciting as "Half price drinks at the Shark Pit" or "Surrender Dorothy" but it is a bit more appropriate to send to a friend!

My talented friend Karren's sketch is wide open this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Have fun with it!

Stamp Sets Used: To Thine Own Shelf by Simon Says Stamp, Bon Voyage by Lawn Fawn

Paper:  SU Perfectly Artistic

Change is Good.....I Think....PP279, GDP#019

Using images from Apple of My Eye along with Wonky Sketches Die Cuts creates a not-so-traditional Valentine......fun to change things up a bit!  I say that but after this week I may be the only one in my family that thinks that!

After watching Frozen way too many times I decided it was time for a change so we popped in The Little Mermaid for Emma on Wednesday..........who was terrified by Ursula......so back to the ice and snow......

I ordered pizza from a new place on Thursday.....just for a change........my husband broke a tooth on it......back to the usual pizza next week......

I was tired of fighting with Windows 8 so I downloaded Windows 10 on Friday......went well I thought until I tried to upload pictures of my card.  My photo editing program Picasa does not play well with Windows 10.......sigh.....not quite sure where I am going with that yet 'cause I can't go back!  


My talented friend Nance Leedy has a terrific sketch for us this week at the The Paper Players!  Don't be afraid to change it up a bit if you need to ..... I did :)

The Global Design Project has a Love Theme this week!

                                             

Stamp Sets:  SU Apple of My Eye
Die Cuts:  Avery Elle Wonky Sketches
Paper: Love Blossoms DSP, Crumb Cake, White
Ink:  Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Mossy Meadow

A Warm Hello......PPA284

Sending flowers and sunshine to all of you on the east coast bracing for a blizzard this weekend. We could use some of that snow around here - not a good storm in sight!  Long ago when my dad and I were visiting prospective colleges we headed for Oswego, NY where the college is located directly on Lake Ontario.  As we entered town snow started falling and by the time we got to campus the wind was blowing sideways off the lake and you could hardly see.  That was the first time I met Lake Effect Snow! We were not dressed for blizzard conditions so there was no campus tour that day - just a meeting in the admissions office where life was going on as usual.  Later as we left campus my dad looked at me and said, "You're going to go here aren't you?"  

Yes I was.....

I don't remember one thing that admissions guy said to me but I do remember watching that swirling snow coming in off the lake!  I was hooked!

Meanwhile Emma is bundled up for school today - she likes school because Miss Bobbi Jo is showing them how to use "cutters" - sounds waaaaay more interesting than scissors......

I love Maggie's sketch at Pals Paper Arts this week with its panel slightly askew!

Stamp Sets Used:  Hello, Kinda Eclectic, Pretty Thankful, Holly Jolly Greetings
Ink:  Crushed Curry, Blackberry Bliss, Mellow Moss

Happy Happy Birthday........FMS220

A simple sentiment from Tin of Cards paired with some funky flowers from a Paper Pumpkin kit definitely make a happy "happy birthday" card!  

Jen Brum who is a huge fan of circles (NOT) created this totally adorable sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches.  She has assured us that you do not have to use circles - have fun with it!

                                       

Stamp Review Crew: Endless Birthday Wishes

The Stamp Review Crew is featuring Endless Birthday Wishes this week.  A birthday is the perfect day to celebrate.......but we were celebrating for another reason today.  My husband - a retired ski coach - has waited a long time for this day.....Emma's first day on skis!  She took four runs on the bunny slope, rode the chair lift and had lunch in the lodge!  Seems like only yesterday we were taking her mother out for her first runs.......

If you missed Lisa's wonderful work head back there to check it out!  Otherwise keep going to see what delights Yapha created!

                                                      

                                                      

Sweet Valentine.......PP278, PPA283

Mint Macaron and Melon Mambo on a Valentine?  It's fun to use unexpected colors! But not everyone got the "Red isn't always necessary" memo.........that cute little Corduroy is stylin' for Valentine's Day!

 Being a CAS gal at heart I am loving Sandy's Clean and Simple Valentine Challenge at The Paper Players!  Hope you join us~!

The wonderful colors are from Pals Paper Arts this week.

Stamp Sets Used:  Snuggles and Smooches,Tin of Cards (SU!), Oh Happy Day (Avery Elle)

Die Cuts: Cups and Kettle (SU!)

Bring the Sunshine........FMS219

The new Sunburst die from Stampin' Up! and sentiment from Feel Goods are a match made in Heaven! This sentiment sums up perfectly what we do as cardmakers.  I started making cards after I retired and had no clue what an amazing journey I was starting.  When I try to explain to my "other" friends about challenge sites, design teams, Wink of Stella, or Mr. Linky their eyes glaze over and I get a "oh how nice" remark.  They are probably thinking who is this Stella and why would she ever wink at someone named Mr. Linky?

But when they receive a card in the mail that was made just for them......they get it.......

My talented friend Cindy Hall is bringing the sunshine with this great sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.

Bright Colors!.......PP277

Such a cute alphabet die cut - especially done in Tempting Turquoise with Real Red and Melon Mambo accents!  The paperclip and pen are cut using dies from Sugar Pea that coordinates with the Teacher's Pet Stamp Set.  Bright colors make me smile......but in this photo I am trying very hard to avoid those other bright colors like purple, yellow and green as I attempt to make that hover board glide!  

I did manage a couple of trips up and down the aisle.....but trust me I never let go of my son completely!

Claire chose that wonderful color combo for us today! Hope you join us at The Paper Players!

Tea-riffic.......PPA282

I am a tea drinker - never a coffee drinker. So I thought this new SU! set A Nice Cuppa was tea-riffic as soon as I saw it! You have to commit to drink tea - no grab it and run allowed. It takes time to steep properly.  Then there's that mucking about with the tea bag (as my coffee drinking mother says) Decisions need to be made concerning lemon, sugar, cream and what to do with that tea bag when it is out of the cup. (Don't get me started on tea made in the microwave or with a Keurig!) And we tea drinkers definitely prefer real cups as opposed to the cardboard ones.  I hope you take the time to brew up what ever your preference is this morning and check out our DT cards at Pals Paper Arts......there has been some changes since we saw you last!

Pals Paper Arts has a fresh new look for the 2016! Our group has been divided into a sketch team and a color team.  We will now alternate between a sketch challenge and a color challenge with no off weeks so you have lots of chances to play along! Hope you join in this week with this tea-rific sketch by Mary Fish!

My Little Chickadee......FMS218

My list of resolutions for 2016 is very short - I don't want to overwhelm myself  :-) And I try to keep them short and simple so I have a good shot at being successful! Resolution #3 pertains to stamping:  "Work on coloring skills!"  I received a lovely set of Zig markers for Christmas and I need to start practicing! But in the meantime my little chickadee needed some color. So yes I really did stamp his belly with the balloon dots from Balloon Celebration.........

SU Sets used:  Talented Trio, Balloon Celebration, Honeycomb Happiness

The amazingly talented Kim Singdahlsen has a fun sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Hope you join us and put your own spin on it!

Always Time for Tea and One More Card......CTS153

I was working on my design team cards for this week and when I finished there were stamps scattered everywhere.  I rarely use just one set so I had quite the job of cleaning up and putting away ahead of me.  And somehow another card was in the works......yes I get derailed easily!  This image from A Nice Cuppa worked perfectly with the sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch.  I added a few cup rings from Timeless Textures and I was done!  Think I will make a cuppa for myself and settle in to finish up the book I started on the plane ride home........perfect aftenoon!

                                   

Fun sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch!

                                

Celebrating 2016....PP276, PPA281

It feels good to get back into the craft room after a blogging break due to holiday happenings and a trip to Florida!  And I do have some crafty news to report.  I am honored that the talented ladies on The Paper Players asked me to join them as a guest designer from January to June!  I am excited to ring in the new year with them!

Joanne is starting us off with a challenge to use a number. I used the date from December's Paper Pumpkin and a sentiment from a new set called Balloon Celebration on my star.  A bit of silvery thread, silver sequins and some black glimmer paper add some sparkle to the celebration!

             


I drew some inspiration from our holiday trip - no other place sparkles like Disney World!

But it was a quick week.  One day we were enjoying this view in Seuss-ville.........

and the next day Emma was shoveling her sidewalk in Backhome-ville!

Wishing you all a wonderful 2016 - looking forward to more crafty......and not so crafty.....adventures in the coming year!

I also used the sketch at Pals Paper Arts for my card.