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)

THE CANDY WINNER IS.......................

First I want to thank all of you that left such wonderful comments on the candy page and also the fantastic comments you leave on my posts.  You all have enriched my life so very much and I so appreciate you for sharing your talents with me.

Secondly, I'm amazed at all the new follows as that was not a condition of winning the candy and I hope you all come back often to visit.  If I missed getting to your blog please let me know as I try to visit each new followers blog to say hi and thank you.  At the risk of sounding old..... I think I might have been there when in actuality I may not have been.  Think hubby's dementia is rubbing off on me...

SO.........ARE YOU READY TO SEE WHO WON?????

DRUM ROLL PLEASE

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CONGRATULATION PAT!!!

Pat is from Lancashire England, United Kingdom and you can visit her blog HERE.

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

"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

GDT Card for The Digi Bells Team

If you haven't heard, the Digi Bells are having a GDT call that ends April 28. The term is from May 1 till July 31.  Just think, 3 wonderful months to design for the amazing artist, Elisabeth Bell.  Well, you all know how much I love her stamps so I'm throwing my hat in the ring and crossing my fingers....

When I saw this stamp from Elphine House Australia I knew I had to have it for Lilly's mom for Mother's Day. It is named "It's A Girl" and there is "It's A Boy" on the way to my house as I write this.  I left the sentiment off the outside so you could see that it can be used for a variety of cards.  Wouldn't this also make an adorable announcement card for a new baby.

Side View

Inside

O

I am entering the following challenges:

The Digi Bells GDT Call - Use Ribbons & Lace

Elphine House - It's a Girl Thing - Add some Purple and Pink Colors

Card Deets:

• Stamp -  It's A Girl - Elphine House
• DP - StampinUp
• Coloring Medium - Copics
• Lace, pearls, heart, appliqued flower cluster, butterflies and brad from stash
• Flower is made from ribbon. My very first ribbon flower (not too bad for first one) and can't wait to make some more.....

A grandiose welcome to my new followers.  So glad to have you and hope to see you back again soon.

I am finally over strep throat and upper respiratory infection - almost back to normal.  Oh boy, that is not something I want to ever experience again and I sure hope none of you do.

Thanks so very much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon.  If you haven't entered my anniversary candy hop on over to HERE and leave me a comment.  Only 3 days left!

"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Pastels for Spring-Edited

How in the world I managed to forget to include the challenge at Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge with this card is beyond me so I'm including it now.  Shabby Chic, Distressing and lots of white.  
Must have been half asleep when I posted..  So sorry all.  


Happy Saturday and Weekend!

Welcome to my wonderful new followers that I haven't gotten around to visit yet, nor anyone else lately.  I tell ya, life is just in the fast lane right now and I don't know how to slow it down.

Oh Geez, I hope you all never experience designer block.....LOL  After 3 days of working on this card it's  still not what I had visioned but I decided to go ahead and post it anyway.  Far cry from posting as I had hoped  but I did get 4 DT May cards done for CCAYR.  

I've used the new Elisabeth Bell image that I won at the Digi Bell's March blog hop.  Her name is Lil Lillian and I think she's almost as cute as my Lil Lilly.  I've been wanting to use some of the new Memory Box, Cheery Lynn, and Poppy Stamp Dies I got a few weeks ago and just got around to it.  Thanks to Selma for the inspiration for this card.  I know I saw something similar awhile back on her blog.  She does wonders with these gorgeous dies and making flowers, so if you haven't been to her blog drop in to see the beauty she has to share.

Inside of card

Haven't got my light box figured out yet so the quality of these pictures are not what I had hoped for but I'll get it figured out sooner or later.  I've always said you are never too old to learn new things, but for sure,  it's not as easy as it used to be.

I'm entering this card in the challenge at Elphine House - Pastels for Spring

Anything Goes - Anything Goes

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

"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

Sharing My Precious Easter Bunny & News

Happy belated Easter to everyone.

Hope your Easter day was filled with much love, family, friends, fun, good food, and a renewed faith that life is ever lasting if you Believe.  We had a wonderful day with family and in-laws.  My little Easter Bunny Lilly is 6 months of age, sitting up, knows how to get what she wants and let you know what she doesn't want..The minute she sees the cameras come out she is hamming it up for you and full of smiles.

I'm so excited to now have 300 wonderful  followers and congratulations Annie for being #300.  I'll be getting a little surprise in the mail to her once she sends me her addy.  Will also be posting a Follower Candy Only for all my amazing friends and followers as soon as the Blog Anniversary Candy ends, but it won't last long so be sure to check back.  Think I can only keep up with one candy at a time.

I'm devoting the entire day tomorrow to the craft room and getting caught up on some much needed cards to share and some DT cards.  The beautiful weather, me thinks, has given me Spring Fever and I have just been outside puttering around the yard and working on the patio along with some much needed cleaning.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon.  Will be back with a card to share tomorrow.

"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)

April DT Cards for CCAYR

First and foremost, I'm so happy to see so many new followers lately and want to welcome you to my blog. If I haven't been around to visit you yet I will do so next week. Gee, if 7 more come come aboard I'll have to have another candy draw for followers only as that will make 300 wonderful sites of inspiration to explore..  You all are going to keep me hopping and I love and adore each one of you.

The CCAYR challenge for the month of April is an inspiration challenge based on the following picture.  We want you to show us your creativity and see what awesome Christmas cards you see based on the picture.  It can be colors, texture, shape, but really, anything goes.   Be sure to stop by the CCAYR Challenge Blog and see all the wonderful projects by the DT.  They have some real beauties to share with you.

Kind of went over the top with my 2 cards and used a six fold pattern that I thought could also be hung on the tree as an ornament.  I love this fold so made 2 of the same thing using different DP and embellishments.  I chose to use colors from the eggs.  I don't know who colored all these but they did a spectacular job of decorating them.  The tutorial for the 6 fold card is by Monique at SCS if you'd like to give it a try.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I sure hope to see you again soon.  Now don't forget to hop on over to the CCAYR blog and leave my teamies a little love for sharing their gorgeous designs.
The DT will be back April 15th with a more inspiration for our April challenge..

"Love & Hugs" Carol (Granny)