Screamin' Demons....FMS685

 

Roller coasters are not my thing but my kids and grandkids love them.  I hold the bags while they all board the Screamin' Demon or whatever a particular monstrosity is called! So this adorable set is perfect for "Emma's Stash Box" when she rummages in my craft room for birthday cards for her friends.

Meanwhile I entertained myself last week with axe throwing.  I have never thrown an axe in my life but I have now!  I was invited to a library staff gathering recently at The Hatchet House and had a great time.  And you thought librarians were just stuffy old ladies right?  After some instruction we were on our own.....it was great fun!

My very first throw that stuck.....

My very best throw.....

I am hosting this week at Freshly Made Sketches - sure hope you like my sketch and throw down with us!

Stamp Set: Coaster Critters (Lawn Fawn)

Ink: Memento, Copics

Paper: Azure Afternoon, Wildflower Birthday DSP

Simple Bouquet....FMS684

 

I love the look of the flowers printed on the vellum strip of paper so I had to use a piece of it in my floral design today.  This card came together quickly thanks to Jen's great sketch and all of that sweet paper!  We finally have some green shoots peeking out along the edge of our yard and a robin's nest in one of our bushes but no flowers yet....soon I hope! We have been busy doing spring cleanup and preparing for house painters who will arrive tomorrow.  I love my gray/blue house and want the exact same color. The painter assures me it will be a perfect match - cross your fingers!

Hope you join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Sets: Notes of Nature (SU), Sweet Sentiments (GinaK)

Paper: Floral and Gingham Vellum, Floral Delight DSP,Lemon Lolly, Pecan Pie, Old Olive

Ink: Memento Black, Lemon Lolly

Happy Retirement! FMS683

 

A quick and easy card today thanks to that great DSP backdrop!  This card is headed to a friend who recently retired.  Retirement isn't all tropical islands and sunshine but it sure is nice to be able to kick back and relax when you want to!

My favorite part of retirement is not having that alarm go off at 6 AM every morning! 

A sweet sketch from Jen Timko this week at Freshly Made Sketches! Hope you join us!

Stamps Sets: Fun Begins (FSJ), Loads of Happy (Avery Elle)

Paper: Thougthful Journey DSP

Ink: Memento Black

Welcome Friends....FMS682

 

We are inching toward spring and better health these days in the Callahan world.  It feels good to be spending a bit more time in my craft room as well.  Not a flower in sight outside though so I decided to put one on my card to welcome two new team members on our Freshly Made Sketches team.  Verena Shapiro and Michele Ferguson are two very talented ladies and I know you will enjoy their creations - if you are not already a fan of their work!

Judy has a delightful sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Have fun with it!

Dies: Blended Blooms (C&9th)

Paper: Everyday Happiness DSP, Pretty Peacock, Lost Lagoon, Gray Granite, Lemon Lolly, Wild Wheat

Easter Flowers....FMS681

 

Wow it is so good to be back!  It has been wild three weeks at our house! The flu bug came to call and flattened the Big Guy which is no easy task.  (yes he had the flu shot)  An ambulance ride to the ER was involved as were several doctor visits and lots of medicine.  A secondary bronchial infection followed which required more medicine......and more hours in the recliner.  I think he is back on track and he actually ran a couple of errands this week but he still has no voice, no strength and naps all afternoon. But every day he is a bit better. My neighbors and family have been wonderful - food and sweet treats were literally left on my doorstep almost daily!

And I finally got back into my craft room yesterday. I kept my card simple relying on pretty paper and a cute bunny to help me out! Since it is Easter time I used an egg shape to frame my bunny instead of a pocket shape in my design.

Have fun with Amy's sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Set: Hop Into Spring (Newton's Nook)

Paper: Wildflower Birthday, Pastel Ombre Glitter

Ink: Copics

Hello Spring! FMS678

Bunnies, birds and blossoms...and outings! Signs of spring for sure!  We have had a busy week which included a birthday dinner for the Big Guy and attending a performance of the musical Come From Away.  It was an amazing show and a wonderful reminder of the kindess and generosity shown by the people of Gander in Newfoundland, Canada when 38 planes carrying 7,000 people were forced to land at their local airport on 9/11.  If one of the touring productions appear in a theater near you buy a ticket - you won't be disappointed!

Meanwhile we have entered mud season as our snow is melting daily - I await blossoms and bluebirds!

Cecile's sketches are always so creative! Let your creativity blossom and join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Set: Finally Spring(CCC)

Ink: Distress - Tumbled Glass, Copics

Paper: Petunia Pop

Friendly Flowers...FMS677

 

I used layering stencils from Gina K's Curved Floral Banner to create my card today.The flowers draped perfectly across my "wooden boards!" Every time I stencil I ask myself why I don't do it more often........and why do I hold my breath when I peel the stencil up?  

My delightful Canadian friend Jen Brum designed a great sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches! Hope you join us!

Thinking Green.....FMS676

 

The snow is still flying around here but I am totally ignoring it and have started spring cards. The weather has been so fierce that the kiddos can't even go outside to build a snow fort.  They spent an afternoon this week building a fort in the family room...complete with posted rules and guard dogs!

Kim has a great sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  I had to scootch my sentiment a bit but I don't think she will mind - have fun with your design!

                   

                        

Stamp Sets: Four Leaf Clover (CCC), Lucky Clover (SU!)

Paper: Boho Blue, Timeless Plaid DSP

Ink: Memento Back, Copics

Read - Relax - Repeat...FMS675

 

This card tells you all you need to know on how I have spent the month of February! It has been a wild winter but March is upon us and I look forward to longer days and warmer temperatures. And by warmer temperatures I mean above freezing.....yep it has been one of those winters!

I managed to sneak in a couple of card classes with my friend Brian King as well.  Zoom calls with crafters are a wonderful way to spend snowy afternoons. I also do a weekly zoom call with retired teacher friends. Kudos to the creators of Zoom - such a wonderful way too keep in touch!

Call me old fashioned but I adore wallpaper and this designer paper provided the perfect "wallpapered" backdrop for my book shelves!

It is my turn to host this week at Freshly Made Sketches.  I have a super simple sketch with lots of possibilities for creative interpretations ~  I look forward to seeing what you come up with!  Hope you join the fun!

                                      

Stamp Sets: For The Books (SU!), Feel Better (Mama Elephant), Our Story (MFT)

Paper: Storybook Moment DSP, Everyday Skies DSP

Ink: Memento Black, Copics

Flowers On A Snowy Day - FMS 674

 

We are just buried in snow this winter - one storm after another!  So I was delighted to take an on line class with Brian King and Emma Goddard for entertainment. Their "Super Awesome Fun Time Card Kits" never disappoint!  This class featured the Mixed Florals Bundles and Labels with the coordinating DSP. And since I had everything on my desk from the class I decided to use the set for my FMS card this week.  I kept it light and springy on purpose!

Jen has a wide open sketch for us this week at Freshy Made Sketches! Have fun with it!

Under The Weather.....FMS673

 

Under the weather here means buried under snow these days so it was fun to think spring and add some raindrops! 

 But raindrops in the winter here create ice in a New York minute.  The annual ice festival was happening just north of us in Saranac Lake this past weekend and Miss Emma enjoyed the musical themed ice castle!

I enjoyed the photos from my fireside chair!

Jenn Timko has a great sketch for us this week! Hope you join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Sets: Umbrella Days (SU!), Rain or Shine (Sunny Studios)

Paper: Everyday Skies DSP

Ink: Copics, Memento

Bee Mine....FMS672

 

We had one storm after another in January so I was hoping February might be a bit calmer......but nope...more snow with a frosting of icy rain this week.  Had to strap on the ice cleats over my boots just to take the dog out.  So I enjoyed staying inside and making a card with summery bees and blossoms!

Hope you play around with Jacquie's fun sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Sets: Fluffiest Friends, Bee My Valentine (SU!)

Paper: Cute As Can Bee DSP, Pecan Pie, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green

Defying Gravity.....FMS671

 

I was lucky enough to see Wicked long ago on Broadway - yes it was terrific. So when I went with Emma to see the movie recently I wasn’t sure if I would like it as much.  But as many of you probably know the movie was incredible and I can’t wait for Part Two!  I plan to rent it from Amazon to watch again and try to pick up on the hundreds of little details I am sure I missed the first time around.  So perhaps I was thinking of the Wizard’s escape balloon when I designed my card today.  I think I will mail it to Emma along with an invite to come over for a movie night on one of these snowy evenings!

Lots of possibilities with Judy's great sketch this week! Join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Sets: Hot Air Balloon, Delightful Dozen (SU!)

Paper: Poetic Expressions DSP, Moody Mauve, Bubble Bath, Mossy Meadow

Ink: Moody Mauve

Valentine Hearts......FMS670

 

That little bunny is hard at work on his garden of hearts but no gardening around here these days! It is six degrees as I type this on Tuesday and is expected to drop below zero tonight.  Winter is flexing its muscle in the US for sure this week!  So it's a good time to craft and start some Valentines......and read by the fire....and watch Netflix.....and do jigsaw puzzles..... I always enjoy a low key January after the December rush!

Have fun with Amy's sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!

     

Stamp Sets: I Heart You (CCC), Love Garden Greetings (SSS)

Paper: Bee Mine DSP, Pool Party (SU!)

Ink: Copics

Party Time! FMS669

 

Will turned six this week and what a celebration we had! Oh to be six again!  The party included bowling, pizza, video games, a ball pit, bumper cars and a huge jungle gym....it was wild but everyone (kids and grown ups) had a great time. And those of us who haven't bowled in 20 years spent the next day alternating heat and ice on their shoulders!

This festive balloon embossing folder came with a single balloon die - so I die cut the balloons from the DSP that I used as a backdrop.

Narelle has a fun sketch for this this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Hope you join us!

Stamp Set: Yay Birthday (Hero Arts)

Party Balloons Embossing Folder and Die (SSS)

Full of Life DSP (SU!)

Berry Burst Ink (SU!)

Celebrate With Cupcakes! FMS668

Time to replenish my birthday card stash now that the holiday rush is over!  My January project is some craft room reorganization and Christmas clean up....which is easier said than done!  And in answer to that age old question "What do you do with small scraps?" I throw them out and start over for the new year!! It is very freeing!

Karren has a great sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches. Hope you join us!

Stamp Sets: Celebrate You (with Dies and Cover Plate) by Concord & 9th, Sentiment from Cake Walk (TE)

Paper: Les Shoppes DSP (SU!), Gold Foil, Balmy Blue