Dads and Grads....and Finally Internet!

I have two cards to show you today- to celebrate some wonderful people in my life.  I'm sorry it's so late- my internet went down this morning and was out ALL day!  I sure do love the speed of my cable internet, but I can honestly say that I never had service interruption with DSL.  Oh well.

The first card is the Graduation cards I made for my sweet "niece" Rachel 

 and Jeff's daughter, Mallorie. 

I am so happy for and proud of both of them.  They are both beautiful, intelligent young women who both love pink. I made the cards pink because they are special like that.  :)  The sentiment is printed since I didn't have any stamps.  Inside is stamped Congratulations.  All paper, ribbon and buttons are from Papertrey Ink. 

Next is the Father's Day card I made for both My wonderful father and Jeff's Dad- he's pretty darn great too!  I used paper and stamps from Mark's Finest Papers.  The button and thread are from my stash.

Thanks for stopping by today- I know it's super late but I appreciate everyone.  I hope you weekend was wonderful and I wish you the BEST week ever to come! I gotta get up early tomorrow- it's back to the gym for this girl.

SCS278- Swan in Training

Today I have a card for the sketch challenge on SCS (#278). I used the recently-released set from Mark's Finest Papers called Our Side of the Pond.  I used to love the story of the Ugly Duckling when I was growing up so of course I love the swan and sentiment in this set.  All supplies used on this card are available at Mark's Finest Papers including the Basic Grey paper and Nestabilities.  If you receive the Mark's Finest Papers newsletter, then you can save 15% on your purchases thru April 30th.  If you are considering ordering some of the fabulous April releases- then take advantage of this discount.  You NEED these sets!!    Trust me.  

Stamps: Our Side of the Pond from Mark's Finest Papers

Paper: Grandma's Lightest Pink, Pensacola Sand; Basic Grey Kioshi

Ink: Black

Accessories: Grandma's Lightest Pink Satin Ribbon; Designer Brad; Nestabilities

Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure to come back tomorrow for some Friday Fun, Friends with Flair AND the Caffinated Cropper Customer Blog Hop.  Phew!  I need to get stamping!!  ;)

MOJO 136 - I'm Here for You

Today's card is for this week's MOJO Monday Sketch (#136).  I used the newly-released set from Mark's Finest Papers called Butterflies, Dianthus and Flourishes.  I just love the flower in this set- it is so fun to color. It also has several GREAT sentiments including the one on my card, "I'm Here For You, When You Need Me,"  It's perfect for someone going through a rough time.  I also used my sewing machine....I couldn't help myself.  lol.  I even used two different colors of thread.  All paper and embellishments are available at Mark's Finest Papers.

 Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers- Butterflies, Dianthus and Flourishes

Paper: Momma's Favorite Purple Linen Finish, Strawberry Freeze, Pensacola Sand, Basic Grey Green At Heart

Accessories: Sheer Pink Ribbon, Small Classic and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities, Button from the White and Clear button Mix

 Thanks for stopping by today- I always appreciate it!  Have a great day!  

Trying Some New Things...

Hello!  Today I have a card for some challenges on SplitCoaststampers.com that I don't normally participate in.  I FINALLY had some time to stamp and went browsing on SCS and felt like I could combine the Technique Lover's Challenge (#269) and the Clean and Simple Challenge (#63) to make a card.  The Technique Lover's Challenge was to use paper-piercing on your card.  The Clean and Simple challenge was a sketch challenge.

 I kept it simple today and made a one-layer card. (gasp!!)  This card took less than 15 minutes to complete.  ALL supplies can be purchased at Mark's Finest Papers.  The stamp set is called Butterflies, Dianthus and Flourishes.  I used my new Janome Sew Mini to create all the paper-piercing.  I stamped the butterfly on the Corn Husk card base AND onto some Breezy Blue card stock.  I cut the butterflies our and popped them up.  Then I inked the edges (I don't know why...the mood just hit me..LOL) It's a simple, easy card but I hope you like it.  Thanks for stopping by- have a great day!!

The Final Day of Mark's Finest Papers New Release Blog Hop- with blog candy (and theFriday Fun Challenge)

Mark's Finest Papers Design Team is celebrating our BRAND NEW STAMPS for the Speedy the Cat Designer Collection and Serenity Collection with a Blog Hop! They are available NOW!
For your chance to win BLOG CANDY, visit and comment on each of the following design team embers' blogs (see below) on April 14th, 15th, and 16th. On Saturday, (April 17), a winner will be chosen FOR EACH DAY from those participants who visited all 9 blogs for that day! (3 different winners, one winner for each day.)
The 3 Winners will be announced on the Mark's Finest Papers Blog. Each winner will receive 1 Stamp Set that will be released NEXT month.

I hope you have enjoyed the new release hops as much as I have!  These are some fantastic sets with TONS of possibilities.  Today we are featuring the set Our Side of the Pond.  It has two frogs, a swan and an adorable turtle.  That's why I am also combining this post with my Friday Fun Challenge- This is what Christi challenged us to this week:

April 16-  Earth Day

Get back to nature for this Earth Day. Trees, flowers, etc...anything to do with nature

So- I used the cute Frog and created a pond scene for this Hip Hop Hooray Card.  

Be sure to check out the other Friday Fun Girls' blogs and I hope you play along- maybe even with your newest set from Mark's Finest Papers! (The paper, ribbon, brad, circle Nestabilities are all available at Mark's Finest Papers)

Jimmi
Kimme
Sara
Christi

Paper: Momma's Favorite Purple, Lime Squeeze and Pensacola Sand. 

Make sure to visit the following Design Team Blogs:  

 Nancyruth

 Nikki

Lois

Peggy

Vicky

Jeanne

Faith

and end at Mark's Finest Papers Blog.  

 Enjoy the hop!

Mark's Finest Papers New Release Blog DAY THREE

Mark's Finest Papers Design Team is celebrating our BRAND NEW STAMPS for the Speedy the Cat Designer Collection and Serenity Collection with a Blog Hop! They are available NOW!
For your chance to win BLOG CANDY, visit and comment on each of the following design team embers' blogs (see below) on April 14th, 15th, and 16th. On Saturday, (April 17), a winner will be chosen FOR EACH DAY from those participants who visited all 9 blogs for that day! (3 different winners, one winner for each day.)
The 3 Winners will be announced on the Mark's Finest Papers Blog. Each winner will receive 1 Stamp Set that will be released NEXT month.

Today's card uses the new release, Take the Time.  This set is perfect for masculine cards, but you can also make general cards as well.  My card is actually for my boyfriend's parents who are celebrating their Wedding Anniversary.  (I realize the sentiment says Timeless Friends, but I feel that you should be best friends with your spouse- says the single girl...lol) I used the sketch from this week's sketch challenge over on SCS. The clock face is covered with Crackle Accents.  You can also use the Cracked Glass technique to achieve a similar effect. All the paper, ribbon and even the brads are available at Mark's Finest Papers.  

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers Take the Time

Paper: Corn Husk, Pensacola Sand, Breezy Blue and Basic Grey Kioshi

Breezy Blue Sheer Ribbon, and Designer Brads

Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team's Blogs and leave a comment along the way.  

Make sure to visit the following Design Team Blogs:  

 Nancyruth

 Nikki

Lois

Peggy

Vicky

Jeanne

Faith

and end at Mark's Finest Papers Blog.  

 Enjoy the hop and we will see you tomorrow for the 4th and final day of the new release blog hop! 

Mark's Finest Papers New Release Blog Hop DAY TWO (with Blog Candy!)

Mark's Finest Papers Design Team is celebrating our BRAND NEW STAMPS for the Speedy the Cat Designer Collection and Serenity Collection with a Blog Hop! They are available NOW!
For your chance to win BLOG CANDY, visit and comment on each of the following design team embers' blogs (see below) on April 14th, 15th, and 16th. On Saturday, (April 17), a winner will be chosen FOR EACH DAY from those participants who visited all 9 blogs for that day! (3 different winners, one winner for each day.)
The 3 Winners will be announced on the Mark's Finest Papers Blog. Each winner will receive 1 Stamp Set that will be released NEXT month.

 

I am very excited about the card I have to show you today.  Today the Design Team is featuring the new release, Butterflies, Dianthus, and Flourishes. If you like detailed images and you like to color (I find it very relaxing after a stressful day) then you will LOVE this set.   There are also some great sentiments perfect for thank you cards, sympathy cards and just general thinking of you cards.  

In case you didn't know, I LOVE butterflies.  (I even have a butterfly tattoo...yes it's true!) This set has two of them.  I am in heaven.   I am just so inspired by this set and I truly hope you will be too.  The paper, ribbon and Nestabilites are also available at Mark's Finest Papers. 

 

 Stamps: Butterflies, Dianthus and Flourishes from Mark's Finest Papers

Paper: Strawberry Freeze, Pensacola Sand, Basic Grey Green at Heart patterned paper

Accessories: Labels ONE Nestabilities, and Sheer Ribbon

Make sure to visit the following Design Team Blogs:  

 Nancyruth

 Nikki

Lois

Peggy

Vicky

Jeanne

Faith

and end at Mark's Finest Papers Blog.  

 Enjoy the hop and we will see you tomorrow for DAY 3!  

 

Mark's Finest Papers New Release Blog Hop DAY ONE with Blog Candy

This is the 2nd post for today....for the Caffinated Cropper Blog Hop please scroll down....of course I would not mind  if you read THIS post too.;)  

Mark's Finest Papers Design Team is celebrating our BRAND NEW STAMPS for the Speedy the Cat Designer Collection and Serenity Collection with a Blog Hop! They are available TODAY!
For your chance to win BLOG CANDY, visit and comment on each of the following design team embers' blogs (see below) on April 14th, 15th, and 16th. On Saturday, (April 17), a winner will be chosen FOR EACH DAY from those participants who visited all 9 blogs for that day! (3 different winners, one winner for each day.)
The 3 Winners will be announced on the Mark's Finest Papers Blog. Each winner will receive 1 Stamp Set that will be released NEXT month.

I am very excited to be part of the Design Team this month and to share my card with you today using the New Release Spring Breeze!  All Paper and embellishments are available at Mark's Finest Papers.

 Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers Spring Breeze (releasing TODAY!)

Paper: Corn Husk, Grandma's Lightest Pink, Pensacola Sand and Basic Grey Green at Heart PP (yes you can get this at Mark's Finest Papers too!)

Accessories: Niji Pearlescent Watercolors, Grandma's Lightest Pink Satin Ribbon, Asian Coin Charm, Dragonfly Brad, Blossom Nestabilities

Make sure to visit the following Design Team Blogs:  

 Nancyruth

 Nikki

Lois

Peggy

Vicky

Jeanne

Faith

and end at Mark's Finest Papers Blog.  

 Enjoy the hop and we will see you tomorrow for DAY 2!  

Friday Fun # 76- This is NO April Fools Joke.....

Happy Friday!!  April is finally here and it is my favorite month of the year.  The leaves are filling in on the trees, flowers are starting to bloom and the days are getting longer.  Spring is here and that makes me happy.  Our Friday Fun Hostess for April is Christi.  Her challenge this week is NOT an April Fool's joke. 

April 2- Our Back to Basics day

No stamping and... for an extra challenge add an Easter twist (whatever you choose) to this card.

 No, you eyes are not deceiving you- it says NO STAMPING.   At first I thought this would be easy...but when I thought about adding the Easter twist....I realized I had my work cut out for me.  Or in today's case....punched out.  :)  I broke out my new Martha Stewart Punches and some Nestabilities to make my card.  For the sentiment, I had to get a little more creative and think outside of the box.  I faux-stitched the Happy and wrote Easter with a white gel pen. 

All card stock, patterned paper, and ribbon is available at Mark's Finest Papers.

Paper: Strawberry Freeze, Spring Leaf, Pensacola Sand, Basic Grey Green at Heart

Accessories: MS Butterfly Double Punch and Fence Border Punch;  White button, Strawberry Freeze Gingham Ribbon, White Gel Pen and Blossom 2 Nestabilities. 

If you think you are up to the challenge, we would love for you to play with us.  Just keyword FFC76 when uploading to SCS and/or link back to one of the Friday Fun Girls' blogs.  Be sure to check the other Friday Fun Projects for more ideas:

Jimmi
Kimme
Sara
Christi

Thanks for stopping by today- Have a great weekend! 

Friday Fun # 75- Spring is HERE!

TGIF!!  I am looking forward to this weekend- I really can't wait for two days off.  I don't have any special plans except to organize my stamping area and stamp.  Oh yeah- and sleep in past 4 am.....(yay!)  This week's Friday Fun Challenge is brought to us by Kimme.  It's the last week of the month so this is her last challenge for a while.  She could have made us celebrate National Cleaning Week (March 29-April 3) but thankfully, she refrained and we are celebrating Spring instead. (Phew!)  For this week's challenge we are to use pastel shades of green, yellow, and blue.  I took a little bit further and added pink and purple.  Honestly, I just got carried away with my new papers and stamps, so I really didn't pay attention to the exact colors.  BUT it's just a challenge for FUN so I'm rolling with it. 

My card is also a sneak peek of the April Release from Mark's Finest Papers.  I am the guest designer for April, so you will be seeing more of this stamp set and 3 others starting next week.  ;)  All papers and embellishments for this card are available at Mark's Finest Papers.  

M

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers Spring Breeze (being released in April)

Paper: Mark's Finest Papers Pensacola Sand, Special Mint, Grandma's Lightest Pink and Basic Grey Kioshi (and YES you can buy that at MFP too!)

We would love for you to play along with us- just use keyword FFC72 when uploading to Splitcoast and/or link back to one of the Friday Fun Girls' blogs.  Be sure to check them all out :

Jimmi
Kimme
Sara
Christi

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a GREAT weekend and some Friday FUN!