CCAYR Mid-Month, Teal & Orange, Non-traditional Colors

Been a busy 2 weeks what with the CKC event at KCI Expo Center, youngest son and wife here for 2 weeks, plus disassembling the ceramic shop so my DIL can open one in Iowa.  Trying to get Conley's workshop so that when you walk in the door you can get to the back 2 levels of the shop.  OMGosh, if I ever get energetic enough we can have a big sale in the shop instead of the garage and not have to worry about weather.  I hate doing garage sales but shop sale sounds like fun....

The CKC is always such a fun event with the workshops and vendor shopping. I got a bunch of new toys and learned some new techniques..  Thanks to my DIL for hauling all the stuff around for us so I didn't get too winded.  Don't know what I'd do without her as she is always such a big help when she is here.  We even got the craft-room updated and  better organized so I'm somewhat rejuvenated and found some much needed mojo.

The challenge at CCAYR this month is your choice of 2:  1) Traditional Christmas Image with non-traditional colors;  2) Non-traditional Christmas image with traditional colors.  It's a fun challenge so I  hope you will join us this month as the prize is from Platypus Creek Stamping & Craft.  The winner as drawn by random.org will receive 2 cling mount stamps from the Artful Stamper range of stamps.  Thanks Tracey for donating this "perfect for the holidays" prize.

The snowman image and sentiment are new and from HFC. The DP is from my stash and the snowflakes were made using the MS Snowflake punch with Stardust Stickles added. The snowman is attached to an oval die cut by Spellbinder's. The card shape was created from a tutorial at SCS by Beate Johns, called Circular Side Step Card. I used my favorite coloring medium, Copics. YR07, YR04 (nose) R30, (cheeks) BG18, BG72, BG70 (scarf and hat). If you haven't tried this BG color combination, you might want to give it a try. The color is awesome and is much different than what you see on the screen. The butterfly was cut from the DP.

Thanks so very much for stopping by and I hope you've enjoyed your visit. Now be sure you head on over to the Christmas Cards All Year Round Challenge Blog to see all the amazing cards by my DT sisters. While there, we would sure appreciate it if you follow our challenge blog and help us reach our goal of 500 followers by the end of 2012. We would love for you to play along with us and share your inspiration. 

Whoo Hoo, I'm even entering some challenges:
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Card Challenge - Snowflakes
Christmas Stamping All Year Long - Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Anything Goes

Have a wonderful week! 

"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Non-traditional Image with Christmas Colors - CCAYR DT Project

Our challenge at CCAYR this month is your choice of 2: 1) A non-traditional image using traditional Christmas Colors  2) a traditional image using Non-Christmas Colors   Had such fun creating this treat box.  Can't show you the inside right now though since I have to work on it a little more.  I chose option #1, using this adorable Topper image by Sylvia Zet. The Hobby House has many of these cuties available including the Christmas Toppers by Sylvia.  I haven't seen these available in the states.

The DP is from my stash, which is in total chaos, and I have no clue where it came from.  A 1/2 paper doily was added as an enhancement and the flowers are a combination of WOC and Petaloo.  The die is from Go-Create and the sentiment is a sticker from my stash.

Be sure you head on over to the Christmas Cards All Year Round challenge blog for some wonderful inspiration from my DT sisters.  They really went all out for you this month.  And while you are there we'd love it if you would  click on the follow button and help us reach our goal of 500 followers before the end of December.  

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon.

"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Make A Wish

Not fifty shades of pink here but there are several which are not showing up like I had hoped, especially in the design paper.  Must be because they are mostly pastels.  If I could every learn how to use my Paint Shop Pro program it might help to enhance my photos.  That's another project for my to-do list, or should I say "Bucket List"...lol

I had so much fun making this for my great-granddaughter's birthday.  The theme for her first birthday party is "Make A Wish".  Not a lot of time to chat so I'm going to make this a short post and list the challenges that inspired me:

Pink Sketch Challenges - Sketch Challenge #29

In The Pink - Challenge #1 -50 Shades of Pink - Anything Goes

The Paper Shelter - Challenge #76 Going Round and Round

No Matter Which Challenges (NMWC) - Challenge #1 - Anything Goes

Songbird Challenges - Challenge #1 - Anything Goes

Card Deets:

Theme - Happy Birthday - Make A Wish

Design Paper- KaiserCraft Pink Gelato, SU Pink Piroquet

Image - Birthday Baby Girl by Sylvia Zet - You can find her HERE

Dies -  Spellbinder's Standard and Scalloped Circles

Copics - Skin: E51, 30, 000, 0000, R21, 20;  Clothes: RV02, 00 000, 0000;  Hair: E74, 71, 70;  Other: C5, 3, 1, 00;  FRV1; Y17, 11, 0000

From Stash - Lace, ribbon, pearls, rosette

Thanks so very much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon.

"Love & Hugs"  Carol (Granny)

Some Glitz and Glimmer

A very warm welcome to my new followers.

I'm finally getting a chance to color some of the new stamps from The Paper Shelter.  I think they are so cute and whimsical.  This one could also used be used for a winter card even if she is named Mucha Influence Spring,  

Entering this card for the following challenges:

The Paper Shelter - Glitz and Glimmer

Stamp with Fun Challenge 172- Sketch

Bearly-Mine Challenges - Anything Goes

Paper Play Challenges - Layer It Up

DP - Pretty in Pink Glitz Paper Pad, SU Expresso for card base.
Image - Mucha Influence Spring colored with Copics and Spica Pens
Dies - Spellbinder's for JustRite Nested Oval Medallion Labels, Cheery Lynn Mini Fanciful Flourish, MS Branch Punch
Stickles for glitz, Flowers and metal corner from WOC

Thanks so very much for stopping by.  I truly cherish your visits and comments.

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you in a few days.

"Love & Hugs"  Carol (Granny)

CCAYR August DT Card for a Child

Oh gee, Christmas is getting so close and yet so far away.  If you haven't started on your Christmas cards yet this would be a perfect time to create a special card for the children in your life or a themed project you know they will love.  Be sure you hop on over to CCAYR and see the wonderful inspiration by the rest of the team.

The DP is one I created on the computer using digital elements from Cool Scraps. When my desktop crashed I lost the folders and name of the designers but I did have the images backed up on an external drive. If you know who designed one of these digitals please let me know so I can give credit where due.  They are the Christmas tree, angel top, rocking horse, and train.  The Merry Christmas sentiment is from  my stash and the card base is CM Cranberry.

This adorable image, Candy Cane Oliver, is from our wonderful team leader, Tracey of  Platypus Creek Stamping & Craft and colored with the following Copics.

Skin:  E00, 30, 000, 0000 and R30;  Hair: E57, 55 53, 51;  Pants: E43, 42, 41, 40;  Shirt: G21. 20

Candy Cane: R39, 35.

I'm also entering this card in the following challenges:
Jingle Belles - Santa Baby
Stamp & Doodle - Christmas in July

The following prize this month is all of the four images below (not colored) kindly donated by Tracy.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon.

"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Paper Shelter DT Call

What a hot and wonderful day here in Missouri.  Only 105 today...  Suppose to be in the 100's everyday  through next Tuesday.  Thank God for air conditioning!

Since I will be coming back on August 1, I got to thinking I need a specific goal for each week so I'm entering the DT call at The Paper Shelter.   Maybe I'll be chosen and maybe not but I'm going to try. I love their images and have since they first became available.  Kept this card pretty simple but I do like how it turned out.  The image is titled Enchanted Love and can be found here.  I chose to cut out the image and then color with Copics.  I had so many Copics out I forgot which ones I used...LOL  Been a few months since I colored so I'm a little out of practice but getting back into the swing of things.  I'm so excited to begin blogging and creating again. 

I distressed the edges of the digi paper by Michelle but I can't find her blog or store to share the link with you.  Will come back and edit when I find it. TPS also has digi paper but I had this printed out, trimmed, and ready to go.  I cut out a second layer of the flowers for added depth. The center doily is from my stash as is the Brown German Glitter Glass used for the center of two of the image flowers.  I used TH Tie Dye DI around the edges of the DP, doily, and cutout flowers.  The butterflies are from MS punches with Fruit Punch Stickles and half pearls.  Mixed together a combination of Ultra-Fine Flower Soft in greens to keep her suitor from standing suspended in air.

Here is the inside of the card using a Spellbinder's scalloped heart die to write a little note on.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Make It Monday - Anything Goes 

Stamptacular Sunday - Wings & Bling 

The Paper Shelter - Anything Goes

I hope you've enjoyed your visit and will come back again soon.  If you have the time to leave me a little comment I'll be sure to stop by to visit you.

"Love & Hugs", Carol (Granny)

CCAYR July DT Card

The challenge at Christmas Cards All Year Round this month is Christmas Flowers/Holly.  I chose to use my favorite Christmas flower, the Poinsettia. The flowers can be in your images, paper, embellishments, etc.   


The DP is from my stash as are the flowers and the sentiment is computer generated.  I've used one of the LOTV Die Cut Designs as I haven't colored in ages but did add some Stickles for a little bling...  These are wonderfully colored images if you are in a hurry to make a card, just not in the mood to color, or you want to give someone that special handmade "just for you" feeling.  

The prize this month is donated by Platypus Creek Stamping and Craft

and is a cling stamp set from Sunshine Designs.

The set is called Christmas Pots and contains four individual cling mounted rubber stamps.

If you have the time, grab a cuppa or a cold one and bear with me till the end of this long post.  I found the following  information on the internet regarding the Poinsettia, along with a great story that I hope you find interesting.  If you want to read more here is the site:  http://suite101.com/article/poinsettia-christmas-plant-a79694

"A ancient legend connected the poinsettia with Jesus' birth. A young brother and sister had nothing to offer to baby Jesus at Christmas. They took the long way to church hoping to find something along the way. Desperately, they picked up some green leafy weeds and brought them into the church."

"The story differs after the children entered the church. In some accounts, the children lay the weeds at the feet of the baby Jesus, in other accounts before the Blessed Virgin Mary. In either case, the weed suddenly erupts into sparkling red blooms that overshadow all the baby Jesus' other gifts, and the children rejoice."

"The poinsettia with its star shaped foliage pattern has been connected with the Star of Bethlehem shining at the birth of Jesus (Matthew 2:1-21). The poinsettia's blood red leaves symbolize the blood sacrificed for love of God. Scriptural events connected with the poinsetta include the deaths of the Holy Innocents, babies killed by King Herod madly in search of Jesus (Matthew 2:13-18) as well as the Jesus' death and crucifixion (all four gospels)."

"Centuries after American Joel Roberts Poinsett rediscovered a plant known to Mexicans for generations, people all over the world continue to enjoy the fiery poinsettia during the holiday season, though they may not know its Christian meaning or colorful history."

I'm so glad to be back to creating for the CCAYR Design Team.  I've really missed being around and visiting everyone.  I'm taking it slow and am back a month earlier than I had planned to be but still will not be posting a whole lot this  month.  I hope you will take the time to stop by the CCAYR Blog and see all the wonderful creations by the DT and our three new DT members.  The rules have changed and I think you'll really be excited about the changes and excited to play along with us each month.

Thank you to all of you that have sent cards or email messages, phoned, and left comments on my blog.  I appreciate the well wishes and support more than you will ever know and love you all dearly.  I will be around to visit as time permits. Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon.

"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

HELLO

Just a quick note to say "Hi" to everyone and let you know I'm still here but pretty inactive...  Plan to be back blogging, visiting, and playing in challenges in August.  I did manage to stop by and visit everyone that commented on my last blog posts today.  Still have a lot of you to visit.

I am breathing a little better but the infection is not cleared up and I'm still pretty weak.  Still not smoking and decided that no matter what happens I don't think I'll be lighting up again.  Still don't even want one or want to be around smoke as I start choking and hacking all over again (not fun).

Hope to see you all soon.

"Love * Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Taking A 3 Month Break To Get Well

I have been debating hard and long about this and after deep thought and discussions with friends and family I've decided to agree with the doctor and take 3 months off from stress and just try to get healthy.  I've smoked for almost 60 years and did not realize the damage that had been done to my lungs until I got bronchitis this time.  I knew I had COPD and emphysema but it never bothered me.until I got so sick over a month ago. I have absolutely no energy and can hardly breathe and I need to work on getting my lungs up to a capacity to where I can function again.  

YEAH!!!! NO CIGARETTES IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW.....

AND I HOPE NEVER AGAIN.....1 DAY AT A TIME

Will not be shutting my blog down and will be around to visit when I get a chance as I plan to try and keep in touch with my followers, it just will not be often.  Hoping I feel like creating some cards soon but so far, I just don't have the energy. Keeping you all in thought, love, and prayers.  May this Mother's Day be the best ever for you, spent with family and close friends.

"Love & Hugs"

Carol (Granny)

May CCAYR DT Cards

Santa Clause Is Coming To Town

Happy May Day!

May your baskets be filled with love and flowers!

We have such a fun and easy challenge for you this month at The Christmas Cards All Year Round Blog.  It's all about your favorite Christmas Carol or song for inspiration made into a card.  Please be sure and let us know what song is inspiration for your card(s). If entering multiple cards, you can use a different song for each card.

My cards are pretty easy peasy this month without lots of bling and details, which is a real change for me, but I'm trying to do less fuss to cut down on postage this year.  Inside I will add our Christmas letter with some family pictures of special events and special moments this year.  Be sure you hop on over to CCAYR to see all the wonderful designs by my DT sisters.  We are looking forward to you joining us this month.

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Oh Christmas Tree

Don't you just love these little House Mice.  They are so cute and sweet.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon.

"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)