Finally Back and Creating...a little.

Howdy!  I'm  back from vacation and finally had a chance to get a little creative.  We had such a fabulous trip!  To  be honest I wasn't as excited about going to Gettysburg as I was about just GOING.  I'm not much into history.  It's not my "thing."  I have to say though that I LOVED it.  I think history class would be so much more exciting if you could have a sense of what it was really all about. What it sounded like, felt like, LOOKED like.   At least for me.  I'm so glad that my husband planned this trip.  It was so beautiful and emotional.  Funny thing....Hershey, PA ended up being the least favorite part of the trip.  Who would have thought, huh?  We did indulge in the MOST divine cookie I have ever eaten.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter!  There is nothing better for me:)  

It took all 4 of us to eat this because it was so big and rich.

Speaking of eating, if you ever are near Ortanna, PA you MUST go eat at this fabulous restaurant.  

It is called Hickory Bridge Farm and it's very close to Gettysburg.  Wow!  The food was so amazing!  It's all home cooked and the ambiance of the place is the perfect touch.  I will tell you it is a bit pricey, but you will leave feeling very full and happy.  When I say full, I mean FULL!

In fact you may look like this....

Just warning you:)  They also have an old fashioned candy counter and a barn full of antiques to check out.  

This place was one of my most favorite parts of our trip. Really, GO to this place.  It is so worth it.

Ok, I guess you came here for a card, right!?  Well, you're in luck.  I have TWO!

My nephew and niece are coming to spend next week with us and it will be the only time I see my niece before her birthday.  So I made her this using a slightly altered version of the SFYTT this week.  I am also entering this into TPE challenge to use Pink and Black.  I do have to point out that my coloring of this image isn't so great.  I got some Prism card stock for Copics and I guess that Bazzill has bought them out or something.  Anyways, it's NOT the same and I find blending to be very difficult.  So, I'm still searching for the Copic  friendly card stock that works for me.  I think I'm going to try PTI.  Anyone have any suggestions?

Because I wasn't overly thrilled with this card I had to make another one with that lovely "Strawberry Jam" paper from Fly A Kite Collection.  Dots!  I love dots!

This card started out using a Twisted Sketch.  Um... it became a bit altered.  I rearranged this thing in so many ways and then realized that I needed that black panel to be crooked.  That was it!  My life is in such chaos lately that perfectly straight and defined was just too much for my brain to grasp.  Chaotic and crazy?  Now, THAT  I'm in touch with. ( As I type this there are 4 kids running around screaming...need I say more?)

Speaking of crazy.  What do you think of the "flower?"  That was just me playing around with crepe paper, ribbon and a glue gun.  I kind of like that wonky thing.  I literally just crumpled and glued, glued and crumpled.  There is no rhyme or reason to it.  Oh, how I love the freedom of crafting:D.

This is also for TPE challenge and Allsorts Embossing Challenge.  At Stamp Something we are to do something vintage and add flowers.  This is a bit vintage, I think. I'm also entering this into the Pile It On Challenge. Do something fancy, cool or extravagant on the top of your card.  I'm thinking that wonky flower may qualify.  I also think I need to try that paper that the challenge is talking about.  One last challenge to enter...the CCEE challenge is a summer card with flowers.

That's it for me today.  I hope to have something else this week, but I honestly won't be posting much in July, I'm afraid.  The next 3 weeks are FULL of a family activities.  I will be back in full force in August.  I have a few exciting announcements that I will share soon.

In the meantime, I hope you are all having a great summer!  I also apologize for not visiting your blogs like I would like.  Summer...it's so busy.  Goes to fast and too slow.  Remembering the sound of silence...ahhh!





What's In It:
Stamps: Jolinne  Birthday Balloon MFT
Ink: black memento
Paper: Strawberry Jam, berry sorbet, black, white 
Other: rub on, berry sorbet satin ribbon, oval punch, horizontal punch, nesties, copics, sewing machine

Stamps: Verve Plain Jane and All About You, Hearts and Hugs by HA, Elegant Flourishes by Clear Dollar Stamps
Ink:  Versafine Black, antique linen, PTI cream
Paper: Strawberry Jam, black textured, vellum
Other: crepe paper, tattered angels postcards, satin ribbon, black pearl, EK success border punch, Copic R22

An Inspiring Story about a Boy, A Man and A Family

A am so happy to share this card today that I made for a very special friend.  She was a coworker of mine and from that sprouted a very special friendship.  She introduced me to the miracle of adoption.  That the child you adopt may not be from your body, but they are meant for you. A true gift from GOD.  I had the blessing of watching her first adopted child when I lived in Michigan and I can tell you with all my heart that that little girl was like our third child.  She was an extension of our own family.   I miss her.    I recently found out that they are adopting their third child from China.  They are there getting him right now.  It's so exciting and I have been following their "Journey to Isaac" blog posts.  I made this card for them as a "Welcome" to the joys of having a boy (after a house full of pink and princesses).

Make sure you read to the end of this post for a story that may just give you goosebumps or more...

Here's the inside:

(click on the picture to enlarge)

I made this for several  challenges this week.  I love the fact that Isaac is coming from China into the USA so I could use Red, White and Blue.  This isn't your typical "Welcome Baby" card.  Isaac is almost one so I thought this image from the Pure Innocence Collection was a bit more fitting than a baby.  He doesn't really look Asian though.  I need more Copic colors:)  I wanted to point out that I colored the bottom layer of that star with Copics.  That way I was sure it matched my project.  Red card stock seemed too harsh.  Also, the layer underneath is a Labels 11 nestie and I had to cut it in half to have it span the length I needed.  One more thing.  My ribbon was folded in half and sewn because it was just toooooo wide for my liking.

I used Jen's SFYTT.  This also fits the challenge at JUGS and The Shabby Tea Room to use Red, White, Blue and optional Kraft.  Over at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge you were to include a tree.  CCEE Stampers is Nursery Rhymes...this is Little Boy Blue:)  The Crazy Challenge is 'something NEW.'

So onto the story...

I always tell my kids that each person is put on this Earth for a reason.  That no one is better than anyone else.  Each person has their own gift to share on this world.  That if you take the time to look for it you can learn something from everyone.  Sometimes the lesson is that you don't ever want to BE like that person.  Still, it's something.

While reading my friend's blog posts about being in China and their travels she shared a story about the man that is assigned to their family that will eventually bring them to their new son.  His name is George and he has been taking them all around China sightseeing, translating, being their guide, etc...

HERE IS THE STORY OF GEORGE (as taken from the blog post)

Want to tell you George’s story too.  His mother had her tubes tied after 5 children (before the 1 child policy was mandatory).  Six years later she started feeling sick, doctors diagnosed her with cancer, and she had two weeks of cancer drugs. Then, the old woman sharing her hospital room told her she did not think she had cancer, but was pregnant.  Sure enough, it was true!  Doctors said the baby would not be “normal” and gave her abortion pills…two rounds.  When these were unsuccessful his mother gave up and three months later gave birth to George. Divine intervention, George called it destiny, eventually led to him helping abandoned children become part of their very own families…God knows we appreciate the irony!

 I thought this story was a perfect example of the fact that we are all important on this Earth.  What an amazing person George was to be able to see that he was a gift to this world and to make sure that other children felt that they are gifts as well.  I feel so lucky to know this family and be inspired by their unselfish acts.  I hope this story inspires you too.  The message isn't about adoption or abortion; it's about realizing that we all have something in us to give...a reason....a purpose.  In a world where everyone is trying to outdo everyone else, trying to be "The Best", thinking they are more important.....  Truth is, we all come from the same place and we all end up in the same place.  We all need each other to do the " in between."


I hope that you share this story.  I think it's full of , well, inspiration!  ( I need another word that means inspire.  I sure used it enough in this story;)
Have a great Monday!
 

BIG AND BOLD

I can't believe it's already Friday.  This time last week I was sitting on the beach watching the waves come crashing in as my kid's ran from that freezing ocean water. Brrr was it cold.  I remember as a kid not caring a bit.  Not now.  I stuck one toe in and said, "Whoa!  I'm heading back to my towel and drink:)

I wanted to thank everyone for the warm comments on my mood yesterday.  I am feeling better today and realize that my blog is supposed to be a happy place.  I reread my post yesterday and thought..."What a crab.  Who wants to read that?"  So today I have a cheery card to share instead of "Woe is me" stuff.

This just screams fun doesn't it?  Today is my momma's birthday.  Happy Birthday Mom!  Love you!  This is not for her though.  I made this for the challenge over at Studio 313 Hot Spot. 

The challenge this week focuses on using psychedelic prints in the home.  That's what appears to be hot in home furnishings at the moment.  So how can you translate that to your cards?  Think Bold, Bright colors.  I used the digital paper by Shawne called, Carnival Dots and Spots and Carnival Sloppy Stripe.  I created my pinwheels by printing on each side of my presentation paper.  Instant double sided DP!  Pinwheels are so easy to make.  Simply cut a square of double sided paper.  (mine are 2 3/4" and 3 1/2")  Cut up from each corner into the middle with scissors ( but not all the way or you will cut it apart).  Take one corner and fold it up to meet the center.  I then put a bit of glue to hold it.  Do this on all four corners and then pierce a hole in the center.  Attach with a brad.  You can attach this to a stick if you want it to move.  Mine are stationary.  If you need a picture as reference check THIS out.

I really hope you all can join us for this fun challenge.  You don't have to use Studio 313 Exclusive Creations, but if you've got them why not use them.  If you don't have any this is a great way to win some.  The winner of this challenge will receive $25 worth of free digi's.  That's a great deal!

I am also entering this into a few other challenges.

CCEE Stampers- nursery rhymes....The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round. Ok, this may not be a nursery rhyme, but it's a song I sang at nursery school.  My card is the Pinwheels on the Card Go Round and Round....Oh Wait...no they don't.  Hmmmm....I may be stretching here.  It's still fun.  I'm trying to be positive:D  Indulge me.
CAS-tastic Wednesday- A card with CIRCLES!
CAS challenge on Splitcoast using a sketch.  I modified the sketch a bit in true "Nikki" fashion:)

But WAIT!  There's more.....

This is the first card I made and wasn't really thrilled with it.  What I have come to realize is that many times when I post a card I don't care for many others do like it.  Then cards I really like won't get as many comments.  The lesson ( other than the fact that my taste apparently STINKS) is that we all have different views and this is a place of sharing...good and bad.  Having said that.  Tomorrow I will have another post and I think I may share some of the struggles I have had this week.  You never know how it may affect someone else.  I promise it won't be so crabby though.  Oh, I almost forgot...the card!

See you tomorrow!(Said with a SMILE)

Celebrate Rejection!

Happy Saturday!  I know I said I would show pics of my craft area today, but I took A LOT and I won't have time to make up my post until later.  So they will be in another post that may just show up tomorrow.  We have a busy day of birthday celebrating.   I would have done it last night, but my son had a friend spend the night and my daughter and I treated each other to a spa extravaganza.  So fun!  We did each other's feet.  She massages my feet and since she hates massages I just have to paint her nails.  I think I'm getting the better deal:)

For now I just have a card to share. I used  another Moxie Fab sketch.  I think I am going to have to get that new release because I'm a girl that needs a sketch.  Here's the sketch:

And here's my take:

I also had to include the requirements for a few other challenges this week.  First up is Die Cuts R Us challenge 33.  I missed out last week so I just had to play along this week.  I had to put a bird on my project along with a stamped image.  This is another one of those "Bird REJECTS".  The embossing on it was not so good, but it goes with the aged texture of my paper this time around.  Actually, the glittered circle was in that pile too.  That's why I'm celebrating rejection:) I used a silhouette stamp for the CCEE challenge this week.  I know on another challenge blog I had to use pink, but I forgot to write it down.  Gotta find that one.  Also these are the colors  over at The Color Throwdown...grey, pink and olive.

My paper is from The Digi Chick and it's called, Beginnings.   I got some textured paper and printed it on that.  It's fun to touch now too!  Being that TEXTURE is the word over at Totally Gorjuss, I 'm entering there too:)

Yikes, gotta go.  I can hear the rowdy boys are up.  I'm sure they are hungry.

Have a blessed day!





What's In It?
Stamps: Life and Autumn Abundance PTI, Always
Ink: versamark, pink pirouette, going gray, antique linen
Paper; white, beginnings digital
Other: MS punch, circle nesties, dazzling diamonds, pink Offray ribbon, flowers, wintage buttons, dimensionals, corner rounder

Sending My Love

Happy Thursday Peeps!  I know it's been pretty quiet here on the blog.   It took me a few days to recuperate from that nasty flu bug.  Now I am SUPER behind in so many things.  I have been busy creating, but it's for things that I can't show til this weekend.  Which actually begins TOMORROW.  Wow!  The week has flown by!  Speaking of tomorrow, it's the Release Party for PaperWorks Co.  They are introducing two new characters.  You can join us for some fun on the blog starting at 8pm my time:)  That's when all the new stamps will be revealed along with some samples to get your creative juices flowing.  Peggy also has some giveaways planned.  Hope to see you then!

  Now onto the card for today.  I whipped this up quickly this morning before everyone got up.  I am so excited because it covers quite a few challenges:  Yippee!

I used that Bo Bunny Love Bandit paper again.  I am sooo behind on Valentines right now that this sheet is going to make whipping up some cute, quick cards very easy for me.  Phew!  I made this card for The Color Throwdown  to use soft sky, pink, and kraft, The CCEE challenge to use hearts and a charm, The EBTKS challenge to use box tops, and the ABC blog SWEETHEART challenge.  I'm also going to add this to Paper Crafts February Gallery Challenge.

Are you wondering about the box tops?  Well, I just got rid of all my recycling last night so do you think I had an empty cereal box anywhere?  Nope!  I decided to take the remaining cereal out of th Fruity Pebbles box and will make my son finish it this morning..lol.  I used my Spellbinder's Heart Nesties to cut out two hearts and painted them with some acrylic paint.  Once dried, I stamped them with Antique Linene Distress ink and my Weathered back ground stamp.  I sponged the edges and added some pretty Melissa Frances pearls.  You would never know that Fred Flintstone's face is on the other side of those hearts.   

That's all for me today.  I'll see you back here tomorrow for another challenge creation!






What's In It?
Stamps: Weathered BG, Hearts Afire (verve)
Ink: pink colorbox, antique linen TH distress
Paper: Kraft, off white text DCWV, 
Other: Bo Bunny  Love Bandit cut out sheet, box, ribbon, charm, mounting tape, flourish EF, EK success border punch, scalloped edge punch, paint, MF pearls, paper piercer, heart nesties