Thursday, September 29, 2011

It's A Girl................


Our baby arrived this afternoon with both sets of grandparents, Uncle Corey (Jer's brother), Conley and me.  I thought Jer was never gonna tell us if it was a boy or girl.  He came out and said ok, I want pictures of everyone here now and that baby and mom were doing great.  Then we all said in unison, "What it is?" After hem and hawing around for a few minutes he laughed and said it's a girl and she is gorgeous. Needless to say we all jumped with joy because there are only 2 girls in our family, one in Texas (13) and a little girl we have never seen (2) in Northeast Iowa.  Lillian Grace weighs 7 lbs. 15 ozs., 20 inches long with head and chest of 14 inches each.  She has lots of dark hair just like her mama and boy is she a cutie.  We heard a new baby cry while in the waiting room and we all looked at each and said that must be our baby and sure enough it was........lol  Already got that baby cry down pat..  Since we couldn't see them for an hour we all went out to eat and then shopping for little girl clothes.  That's gonna be the best dressed baby in town as we've all been buying clothes for boys so long it's really cool to be buying feminine little girl clothes.
Not much time, the girls are arriving in just a couple of hours. Hope you enjoy the pics.
"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Conley, Me, Lilly, Jer, Jim, Nikie, Corey & Brianne

Nikie, Jim & Lily (First time grandparents)

Jer, Nikie, Lilly (Proud Papa)

Brenda & Lilly, Brianne's Mom

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Whirlwind Week

It's already Tuesday and I haven't been around to visit or comment or even been in my craftroom so I've got to scramble tonight and get my cards done for CCAYR for October.  Have had very little computer time or time even to think about crafting.  I do think about all of you though and wonder what I'm missing out on. Since I don't have time to get around to visit, probably until next week, I just want you all to know I'm missing you and seeing all those amazing creations you share.

The new great-grand baby will arrive on Thursday (we think) and weighs about 9.1 Lbs. so I'm sure she's ready for Baby G to make it's grand entrance.......lol

I also have friends coming from afar on Thursday, my youngest son and his wife fly in on Friday night for the weekend, Sunday is the big Chief's game so everyone is tailgating at Arrowhead except my DIL and I will be craft shopping in KC while the guys are at the game.

That's it for me tonight, just wanted to pop in and say "Hi" so you all know I'm still alive,
  kicking, and missing my craft time.
Have a wonderful week and will see you next week if not sooner.
"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Friday, September 23, 2011

Goodie Box & Christmas Ornament

Wow, I really lucked out this time.  Found a see through goodie box I'd made last year and never did use, in fact, I found 8 of them, all with different DP.  So I stuck some candy in it, made the ornament, and tied it on with a bow.  Can't get much easier than this now can it.  What have you put away and forgot about that will only take you a short while to complete and share??  We'd love to see it!

CCAYR September Challenge: This is a stash challenge and the only "rule" is that anything you use on your cards needs to be at least a year old - stamps, papers, embellishments: everything!

Ornament Deets:
  • Image from Nina at Paper Cupcakes "A Merry Christmas Snowman" colored with Copics: R24, 27, 29; G24, 21, 20; B99, 97; YR 18, 15, 12; C00, 0, R20; R59, 46; paper pieced with faux stitching.
  • Stardust Stickles and Diamond Glaze
  • Flower Soft Ultra Fine Strawberry for mittens
  • DP Reminisce Fresh Snow for backing, red brads, and sprayed with Glimmer Mist Pearl
We are ready for some cooler weather but so not ready for winter...  Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope this month I've given you a little inspiration to get started on your Christmas cards and projects. It will sure make your life a little easier come December.  Plus, I'd love to see you play in the challenge cause it gives me another reason to stop by and visit.

Have a wonderful week ahead!
"Love & Hugs" Carol

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Under The Mistletoe

This sure looked a lot better before I posted it so somewhere in the transition it lost its clarity but I think it will be okay.  This is for the challenge at Lili of the Valley this week  of red. green, and white. I love this color combo for Christmas as it's so traditional.  Of course, this adorable new image from LOTV, Under The Mistletoe, is what really makes the card so cute.  It's just one of many new releases for Christmas this year.

My first attempt at a center step card, and as easy as it looks, I really struggled with the dimensions so made a template and cut it with an Xacto knife.  Oh how I wish measurements given were a little more exact as math and fractions have NEVER been one my strong points.  I did finally get 8ths figured out on the ruler though....lol

OOPS! Forgot to add the side view on the first post...Sorry
The DP is from Bo Bunny Father Christmas Pack and SU Cherry Cobbler, stamped and colored on Neenah card stock with Copics.  G28, 24, 21, 20 - YR24, 23, Y15, 11, 00 - R39, 37, 35 - E74, 71, 70 - E55, 57 - E00, 000, R20 - C5, 3, 1, 00.  Viva Decor Cream Pearl was added for the mistletoe berries, stardust stickles for the snow and on the poinsettia's from WOC, velvet white flock for the fur on the coat and polar white FS for the snow on the ground. 

I had planned to enter this in the WOC sketch challenge but altered the sketch too much so I'm entering the following challenges:
7 Kids College Fund - Holiday Goodness
Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
Winter Wonderland - Girlie Christmas

Tomorrow we will be attending the visitation for the daughter of a dear friend and one of Conley's military comrades, and on Thursday the funeral, so you will probably not hear from me for a few days but I'll catch up with you all as soon as I can.  Have a wonderful week.
"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Winter Won*Der*Land

What a joy and treasure it has been to be the guest designer at Anything Goes this month and to see and share all the fabulous products available from The Craft Den.  In fact, almost everything I've used on this card can be purchased at The Craft Den.  Most of you know I've been a little shy in using Magnolia Stamps for a variety of reasons but I really liked the way this one turned out.  And, since I'm so much into Christmas cards right now thought she was perfect.

Card Deets:
  • Stamp - Magnolia - Tilda with Tree (I think)
  • DP Bo Bunny Blitzen Collection
  • Marianne Creatable Poinsettia Dies with gems from stash added
  • Lace from WOC
  • Colored with Copics
  • Sketch from CLP
  • Tried the white spray paint technique and think I need a little more practice as my craft room did smell like paint.....lol
I am also entering this card for the sketch challenge at CLP.
Hope you all are having a fab week.  I've been enjoying the beautiful fall weather we have been having.  It could stay this comfortable for me the year round......except for the Christmas Holidays and then do I like the snow and the beauty of winter.  If you have the time to leave me a much appreciated comment I'll be sure to hop on over and visit to see what's new with you.  Thank you for stopping by.
"Love & Hugs" Carol  (Granny)

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Bingo & Anything Goes

Now don't fall out of your chairs, it's NOT a Christmas card this time.......LOL  Since we are having fall like weather this week thought it was the time to get into fall cards even though I never send them out.  I like the cute and whimsical things of halloween and definately pass on the gorey stuff.  Never have been a fan of the scarey stuff and that probably is due to being traumatized as a child by some of the neighborhood boys...we all know boys will be boys. 

I fell in love with this stamp from Bells'n Whistles, Scarecrow & Little Wizard, such a sweet image and so cute.  The challenge at Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge Blog this month is Bingo and I chose the row of Buttons, Charms, and Punches.  The DP is from K&Co and is probably a couple of years old. Love my stash!  Colored with Copics and gold glitter added for the rope and leg ties along with the stars on the hat.  The bow is a raffia bow tied with the button for the center and the charm added.  Wish I'd had a pumpkin charm.  I have a terrible time finding small charms to put on my cards.

Did you participate in the Digi Bells Monthly Blog Hop this month???  You still have time to win the new Elisabeth Bell digi image for the month celebrating Lynda's birthday titled **Lil Lynda's Piano Forte**.  OMG, she is just adorable so be sure to hop on over to the Digi Bells Blog and see for yourself.  You have 3 chances to win her and one is by entering a card, "Anything Goes" using any EB image, so I'm entering this card in that challenge also. 

Well folks, that's all from me today.  I've gotten 3 posts scheduled and another card almost ready to post so I'll be back real soon.  Will be hopping around to visit everyone later this afternoon.  I'm so enjoying being in my craft room this week and don't want to lose the momentum so see ya later.

Don't forget to leave me a comment so I don't miss getting around to visiting with you.
Have a fab weekend!
"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Sugar Nellie Winter Wonderland


Yep, found another stamp I don't think I've ever colored up.  Gee, it's amazing when you go back through your stash and find things you just thought you couldn't live without at the time and then when you get it you never use it. I'm just finding all kinds of goodies buried in my Christmas stamp drawer... So much fun!

This one is not quite as simple as the other 2 but thought it time I get back to my "it's never enough" and bling things up a little bit.  Don't want you to think I've lost my mind with so many CAS cards......LOL

Card #3 for Christmas Cards All Year Round and a reminder of this months challenge:
This is a stash challenge and the only "rule" is that anything you use on your cards needs to be at least a year old - stamps, papers, embellishments: everything!
Come on over and join us for a little fun and get your Christmas cards started. You might have as much fun finding things for a year or longer you've never used or used only once.
We'd love to see you.

Card Deets:
  • Winter Wonderland Sugar Nellie Stamp 2009
  • DP CM Cranberry, DCVW Silver, Creative Paper by Craft Creations
  • Colored with Copics:  Hair - E55, 57, 53, 50, Y00, E44;  Clothes - C7 through C00;  Holly Sprig G28, 24, R39, 37, Acrylic white paint for highlight;  Scarf & Umbrella - R29, 24;  Bird - R29, 27, 24
  • Poinsettias WOC, gems from stash, colored stamen with E29
  • Sentiment from HFC - Mats cut using CM circle and oval templates.  Inside - Spellbinders Labels 1
  • Textures of Velvet Flock adhered with glue - Stardust and Xmas Red Stickles
Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon.  Hope you have the time to leave me a comment so I'll be sure to come by visit to see what's new with you.
"Love & Hugs" Carol

Thursday, September 8, 2011

White on White for CCAYR

Yep, I'm keeping is simple this month to save on postage.......lol  Here is my second card for CCAYR this month.  If you haven't been over to the challenge blog yet to see all the wonderful cards by the DT I sure hope you will pop over for lots of eye candy and inspiration.

Sept Challenge:
This is a stash challenge and the only "rule" is that anything you use on your cards needs to be at least a year old - stamps, papers, embellishments: everything!
Card Deets:
  • DP from Paper Temptress, Solar White Neenah
  • Cuttlebug folders and I have no clue what their names are......Sorry!
  • Polar White Flower Soft
  • Stardust Stickles
Short post today.  Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see  you again soon.  Sure hope you will join us this month at CCAYR.  If you have the time to leave me a comment I'll be sure to stop by to visit and see what's new with you.
"Love & Hugs" Carol

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

In The Spotlight and GD for Anything Goes Challenge Blog


And a very Happy Tuesday morning to you all.

I got so excited when asked by Tamara to GD for Anything Goes Challenge Blog it took me almost a week to get this card done cause Shabby-Chic and Vintage are not really my strengths.  I do love how this turned out though and I got everything I wanted on it without a lot of bling. Yep, I know, no stickles or glitter, can you believe it......  I think I might be seeing a little more Shabby-Chic/Vintage style in my designs from now on.  I'd sure love to know what you think of this, especially if you're a SC/V fan.

If you haven't guessed it by now the theme at Anything Goes for this fortnightly challenge is SHABBY-CHIC/VINTAGE and I can't wait to see what you create for this challenge.  I hope you've found some inspiration here that will encourage you to share your creation with us.  I'd so love seeing your designs.

Here is the inside of the card.
Deets:
  • Image: Digi Sugar Nellie Hope colored with Copics: Hair-E57, 55, 53,Y00, E50, 44;  Skin-E11, 00, 0000, R20; Dress-YR82, 00, 000, E50, 51.
  • DP: K& CO, card stock from stash
  • Spellbinder's Scalloped & Eyelet Circles
  • Sentiment ODBD - Versamark Ink and Gold Embossing Powder, heat set
  • Distress Ink Frayed Burlap
  • Die: Fanciful Flourish from Cherry Lynn
  • Embellishments from stash:  pearls, lace doily
  • Lace is from Amelia in South Africa. Isn't it just gorgeous.  Thank you dear friend.
  • Flowers and corner embellishment from WOC
For all of your crafting needs please be sure to check out the Craft Den for some amazing new products and some of the products used on this card.

You won't want to miss the beautiful projects by the amazing DT at Anything Goes, so hop on over, get a little inspiration from the team, then share your lovely creation with us.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon. Hope you have the time to leave me a comment and if you do I'll be sure I stop by to visit and see what's new with you.
"Love & Hugs" Carol

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Princess For A Day

In looking at the new images from The Fall Elisabeth Bell Secret Stamp Kit created for Whiff of Joy I was reminded of when my daughter was a little girl.  Oh how we loved dressing her up like a little princess.  The day we took her home from the hospital she wore an adorable pink dress with lace on it, lace booties and pink bonnet with lace to match.  Of course, that was over 50 years ago and my how times have changed in these past 50 years.

I really created this card for three challenges this time because I thought they fit so well together:

Sweet Sketch Wednesday - Sketch #117 (Thanks Patti for reminding me)
Whiff of Joy - Pink and Pearls
Copic Creations - "Pretty in Pink"

Card Deets:
  • Image from WOJ Secret Fall Stamp Kit "Princess for 2 Day"
  • Sketch from Sweet Sketch Challenge #117
  • DP from Stash, card stock card from Bazzill
  • The fan and tiara are paper pieced
  • Viva Decor Liquid Pearls added to tiara and dress
  • Spellbinders die with pearls from stash added
  • The lace fan, lace and flower from my dear friend Amelia in South Africa - Thanks so much Amelia
  • Colored with Copics:  Dress RV29, 25, 23, 21, 00;  Skin E13, 00, 000, R20;  Hair E57, 55, 53, 50, 40 and Y00
Hope you all are having a fantastic weekend, and to my USA friends, have a very safe and amazing Labor Day weekend, which is officially our last summer holiday of the year.  Now mind you, I'm not looking forward to winter by any means but I'm sure ready to get rid of the 100+ heat we have been having. So can't wait to see some low humidity and temperatures in the 70's, which is suppose to be arriving tonight.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon.
"Love & Hugs" Carol

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Got Year Old Christmas Stash??


Here it is already the first of September and it's only a little over 3 months before Christmas.  Scary huh?  Got some cards ready to mail or working on your Christmas letter?  I'm frantically working on mine because last year I didn't send out one card or my Christmas letter.  The challenge this month at Christmas Cards All Year Round is easy peasy.  Just dig out last years Christmas papers, stamps and join us for a fun challenge.  If you don't get all five cards done, that's no problem, at least you will be started on your cards and that will leave you a lot more time to shop, wrap presents, bake, and spend quality time with family as the holiday gets even closer.

Sept Challenge:
This is a stash challenge and the only "rule" is that anything you use on your cards needs to be at least a year old - stamps, papers, embellishments: everything!

Card Deets:
  • Jingle Bells Stampendous Stamp - 2007   Unused - Forgot I had it.....lol
  • Holograph Jingle Bells Chain - Another forgotten item
  • Spellbinder's Classic Large Rectangle
  • DP: SU Navy - Craft Creations Christmas Words Blue/Grey - CM Silver Metallic (no longer available)
Not much else to tell ya, pretty plain, simple, and quick to make.  Wish I had more of the Jingle Bell chain and silver paper so I could make some more......

I'm so thankful to be on the CCAYR team because it is motivating me to get my cards done this year.  You can see all of the amazing DT cards just by clicking on this link and heading on over to the CCAYR Challenge Blog.  I'll be posting weekly with the hopes that you will be inspired to get started and join us at CCAYR.  In fact, I'm scheduling all my posts now so please check back to see what's new or hop on over to the blog to see all the entries.

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 to hop on over to visit.
"Love & Hugs" Carol