Trick or Treat

It was 48 degrees when I got up this morning. Now to me that is a TRICK to a lot of you, it is probably a treat. I do not like cold weather. My DH is going fishing very early in the morning. I cant believe anyone would won't to ride down the lake and it 45 degrees. To day it was about the black and the white space at 365 cards. We had to keep all the DP, embellishments, ribbons, sentiments, etc only on the black spaces indicated on this sketch.

I made the card before I went to work this morning but just now getting it posted. It has been a long busy day.

The border around the tag card was made using Heidi grace rub- ons. I messed up the last one on the top right hand corner, so had to go back and add some little candy corns to it, so then I just randomly placed some more. Only I would have known of the flub, if I hadn't told you. After finding the Trick or Treat sticker with the bat, and placing it in the corner, I decided to go back and rub on some little black bats. Since the eyes on the big one was red, I inked in the eyes of the little ones with red. On the inside, I added some more candy corn after stamping Happy Halloween. After seeing the picture, I have decided that I don't like that ribbon with it, so will go back and choose something else. Thanks.

Autumn

You can really tell Autumn is in the air down here. It was 48 degrees this morning, and then the afternoon temp got up in the 70's. Pat I know, you just love it. After work , I even cleaned off the old dead tomato plants out of my garden this afternoon.

At 365, it was all to pieces today. Here are the pieces we had to work with.

Here is what I did with them. I took the basic pumpkin, printed one of them, then saved it to the Scrapbook Factory then changed the sizes on the other two. Printed them out, cut them, cglued them and I was all finished. We did not have to use all the pieces. I used DP from Global Views-Deja Views for the card base, the pumpkins were cut out of a piece of paper I found in Scrapbook Factory. The pumpkin vine is from green mulberry paper, the Autumn Sticker from Cloud Design. And the little leaves at bottom are from Miss Elizabeth. This was fun.

Beautiful Day

Oh what a beautiful day it has been. A perfect way to spend a Sunday. I delivered belated birthday gifts today. I felt so bad about it, but seems like the more time I have the less I actually get done. I have the 365 Sunday Sketch to show you then a card and gifts I put together for my 2 friends that probably thought that I had forgotten. First here is the sketch we had to go by.

Now here is my take on the above sketch. And I have no ideal who the paper was by.

Next is a little card folder I made to put cards in for a gift. It will hold 10 cards and envelopes. Very simple out of a 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper, a little glue and ribbon, plus however you want to embellish it.

Next is a little Altoid Mint Tin altered into a little first aid kit on the inside.
I hope every one's week is special.

AUTUMN A MOSAIC OF THEM ALL

I don't believe this rain will ever end. My basement is wet, And I have 2 sump pumps working as fast as they can pump. I don't know how this will affect the upcoming beautiful fall spectacular that we have here in the NC mountains. The foliage is magnificent in color. I hope the rain doesn't knock all the leaves off the trees. On to the 365 challenge for Saturday. It was to use the sanding technique on a card. I used Black Magic ColorCore Cardstock. I chose a piece that was a Orange /Red on one side and black on the other. I sanded down the black so the orange/red would show through. I decided on a wreath because that is what my project for tomorrow is. Decorating the house for fall, and making a wreath for my front door. I used the little foil leaves that I got at Hobby Lobby last weekend. I sanded them, taking off some of the shine, and making them more rustic looking. I also made 2 more cards on foil textured paper and left everything shinny. Inside, I added the quote by Stanley Horowitz. Thanks for looking.

Almost Friday

This picture was taken by Amber my GD. And it is all about how it has been around here the last couple of days, well really almost for 2 weeks.

The sun came out for a little while yesterday afternoon, oh, but the humidity was a killer. My son and I took Bondo for a walk, and all 3 of us collapsed when we got back to their house. Bondo still has not learned all he needs to know about a leash and that he is not to be the leader. It will come, he is still a puppy.

Pat at Southern Breezes seems to be having absolutely too much fun. Please read her blog, and the shops and Scrapbook Cafe's. Way too much fun going on up there. "flat" Pat's challenge this week was to make a Halloween tag. Mine is really a simple one, not using many techniques, but the main thing, it was fun to make.

TFL

Rain, Rain, Rain

Rain, Rain, Rain

That is all it has done almost all weekend, There is a front over my part of the country now, that is suppose to linger throughout the week. But that is better then snow isn't it. So I guess I am happy. It is day 204 at 365 cards and it is another sketch.

Mine is just a regular size card, with two ovals cut with the nestabilities. The stamp is by Inkadinkado, which I adore. Just the simplest little things makes me happy. I stamped it using the scented Hot Cocoa ink by Vintage Ink. The papers have no name because they are scraps that was on my desk. The word grow and the little things on the left hand top corner were cut with the Cricut Home Accents cartridge. Then I finished it off with a simple little white bow. TFL

Do you feel lucky?

In the olden days, old boots or shoes are said to retain the good spirit and courage of the owners. Therefore, it is a common belief that an old boot is a good luck charm. For instance, if a fisherman caught himself an old boot instead of fish, it is believed that at the end of the day, he would be able to catch and take home a huge amount of fish. In north England for instance, the wives of sailors would usually toss old boots or shoes at the departing ships to ensure their husbands’ save journey. An old boot was also left on the roofs of old houses to ward of evil spirits. Also that is the reason that old boots are tied to the back bumper of the wedding couple's car. At least this is I read on google. Personally I believe more in faith then I do luck. So here is Saturday's 365 card. The old boot a symbol of good luck. This boot is just dressed up a little.

The Golden Cockerel

At 365 cards it was all about fairy tales today. When I think of fairy tales since I have grown older, this one always comes to mind first. A big reason is because a member of my family has a wonderful gallery full of beautiful things, and its name is "The Golden Cockerel" Here is the fairy tale behind the name of his gallery.

The Tale of the Golden Cockerel
by Alexander Sergeevitch Pushkin, 1834
Somewhere, in a thrice-nine kingdom, in a thrice-ten state, lived the great Tsar Dadon. In his youth he had been bold and ruthless, and waged terrible wars against the rulers of neighbouring kingdoms -- but in his old age he wanted to rest from war, and build a peaceful life. Then the neighbouring rulers started to attack the old king, as viciously as he had done before. To guard the borders of his kingdom he had to maintain a huge army. His officers tried hard, but they just could not succeed -- if they were expecting the enemy from the south, the armies would appear from the east. If they were organized against attack on land, the savage intruders would appear from the sea. Tsar Dadon could not sleep; he wept with fury. Life was becoming unbearable. So he turned for help to a sorcerer, and astrologer; he sent a messenger begging him to come to the court.
The sorcerer came up close to Dadon's throne, and pulled from his bag a golden cockerel. "Take this bird," he said to the tsar, "and place it on top of the highest pinnacle. My cockerel will guard you faithfully -- as long as all is peaceful, he will sit in silence on the spire. But if there is a threat of war from any side, or forces massed for attack, or an unexpected danger, in a flash the cockerel will raise his crest, spread his wings and crow aloud, and will turn on his spire to face the direction from which danger comes."
The tsar was delighted with the sorcerer, and made him a promise. "In return for this favour," he said, "I will grant your first wish, whatever it may be, as if it were my own."
The cockerel kept watch over the kingdom from his high spire. Whenever danger could be seen, the faithful sentry would rouse himself as if from a sleep, spread his wings, and turning towards the danger, cry: "Cock-a-doodle-doo! Reign in peace, tsar!" And the neighbouring rulers grew quiet, and did not dare to go to war, for Tsar Dadon could now fend them off from all sides.
A year, and then another, went by in peace. The cockerel sat in silence. Then, one day, Tsar Dadon was awakened by a terrible noise: "Tsar, your Majesty!" shouted the commander, "Sir, wake up, please!"
"What's the matter?" asked Dadon, yawning. "Who's there -- what's the trouble?" The commander told him: "The cockerel is crowing; the whole city is filled with fear and chaos." The tsar went to the window -- he saw that the cockerel had turned on the spire to face the east. There was no time to lose. "Quickly! Men - to horse! Faster - faster!" The tsar sent out an army to the east, with his eldest son in command. The cockerel calmed down, the clamour quietened, and the tsar settled down again.
Eight days passed, and no news came from the war. No one knew whether or not there had been a battle, and Dadon received no messenger. Then the cockerel crowed again. The tsar called up another army force, and this time he sent his younger son to the rescue of the elder. The cockerel was silent.
Once again, no news came. And again, eight days passed. The people of the town spent the days in terror...then the cockerel shrilled once more. The tsar called up a third army, and himself lead them away to the east, not knowing what they would find.
Day and night they moved on; it was becoming unbearable. They found no sign of killing, no camp site, no burial place. A week had already passed, and the tsar was leading his men into the mountains. Suddenly, among the highest peaks, they saw a silken tent. In a narrow mountain pass lay the bodies of the defeated army; men stood around the tent in silent amazement. Tsar Dadon rushed forward - what a terrible sight! Before him his two sons lay dead, without their armour, their swords driven through each other. Their horses wandered loose in the crushed and blood-stained grass. The tsar began to weep: "My sons, my sons! Both my proud falcons caught in one net! I shall die from grief!" The people began to mourn with their tsar. With a heavy moan the depths of the hills echoed, and the heart of the mountains shook at its foundation
Suddenly, the silken tent swept open, and a girl, a princess of Shamakhan, shimmering with beauty like the dawn, stepped out to meet the king. Like the birds of night before the sun, the tsar was silenced. At the sight of her, he forgot the death of his sons. She smiled at Dadon - and with a little bow, took his hand and led him into her tent. There she sat him at the head of the table, and feasted him with sumptuous food, and he lay on a bed of brocade. A week passed, as Dadon stayed with her in utter entrancement, spellbound.
At length, Dadon set out on his journey home, with his armies and the young princess. Before them galloped the rumours, spreading both fact and fiction. The townspeople met them at the city gates, with a noisy welcome. Everyone ran behind Dadon and his princess in the royal carriage, and Dadon greeted everyone. Then, in the town, he caught sight of his old friend the sorcerer, whose turbaned head rose in the crowd like the head of a grizzled swan. "Greetings, old man" called the tsar. "Come over here and tell me if there is anything you want." "Tsar," replied the wise man, "do you remember? You promised me that, in return for my favour to you, you would grant the first thing I ask for. So please let me now have the girl, the Shamakhan princess."
"What!" cried Dadon, aghast. "Either a devil has got into you, or you have lost your senses. What can you be thinking of? Of course I gave you my promise, but everything must have its limits. And remember who I am - ask me rather for a chest of gold, or a noble title, or a horse from the royal stables - ask for half my kingdom!"

To find out how this Russian fairy tale ends, and to see some of the beautiful things he has go here.

Thanks for looking at the card . Hope you enjoy your bedtime fairy tale tonight.

Shoes & Bondo

Shoes and Bondo does not mix. For you that don't regularly follow my blog, Bondo is a dog. He is 3 1/2 months old. He belongs to "My Three Sons" Bondo loves to chew on shoes, as most dogs do. They are breaking him of that, but he was a little against it at first. ;) I posted some pictures of him when they first got him. You can see them here. Finally they got another one taken of him this week that I can post. Now to the 365 cards challenge and how Bondo and shoes got on the same post. The challenge was to use shoes on your card in some manner.The shoes I used on the front of the card was actually little note cards. The stamp was one of those Innie & Outie stamps by My Sentiments Exactly. I attached the top shoe with 3D foam dots so it would stand out more. don't forget to scroll on down after the picture of the outside and inside of the card to see Bondo. Thanks

You really can't tell how big he has gotten in this picture. But look how big those paws are. They caught him with the camera as he was waking up from his beauty nap.

Wednesday and Challenges

I guess today was a good day. We had off and on rain all day. After work, I went over to see Bondo, my son's dog. He has grown oh so much. He is 3 1/2 months old now. I will try to get them to take a current picture of him.

Pat's challenge at Southern Breezes was a sketch this week, and 365 cards challenge for today, was all about missing you. You could not use the sentiment on the front, but have an image or something on the front that symbolized missing you. Here is what I came up with to show you for the two challenges.

Just in case you are wondering what that thing is on the front of my card, It's an empty bird cage. Thanks for looking

Have you Ever

Have you ever had one of those weeks, where nothing turns out like you envisioned? That is how it has been with me for awhile now. I know what I want and how I want it to look, but it will not come together. Anyhow, this is how it turned out, not the way I envisioned but just the way it did. One good thing about today. I made Apple Dumplings for dessert tonight. I served them with Butter Almond Ice cream. Luckily they turned out the way I anticipated they would. At 365 cards today, we were to use a hexagon as the focal point of our card. Well I made the card in a hexagon shape, and added a 6 pointed snowflake to it. All were cut out using my Cricut. I used a Opalescent Spray Glitter made by Flora Craft to add sparkle to the snowflake. The hexagon card was cut from pearlized blue card stock. Then finished it off by adding little pearls from MS.

Made it through Monday

It was a long day, but luckily I had a lot of work to do, so that helped a lot. It was also a beautiful fall like day. The rain is suppose to be moving in over night.

At 365 cards today it was to make a mosaic and use it on your card. Well I wished I had looked at some that had already posted to get some inspiration, cause mine, well let's just say it is "elementary". I was trying for a masculine card, so I couldn't dress it up much. It is just a simple card. My DH told me the sentiment to put on it. Thanks for your time today. Looking forward to see what tomorrows challenge will be.

Quick Post

It's been a very busy weekend, and Monday is coming way to quick, like in 2 hours. But before I tell you about my Sunday Sketch card from 365 I NEED HELP

Who has a home remedy for POISON IVY? I went to my Mother's today and she has jewel weed on her property, so I thought relief. Guess what the sap isn't up in the stems this time of year evidently. The stems were just hollow. It is really spreading and have put up with it since last Monday, so if anyone has a solution to my dilemma, please email me or comment to this post.

So here is my take on Super Sunday Sketch. The DP card stock came from Me & My Big Ideals Stack that I used for the card base. The black oval I cut using my Cricut. The Butterfly was digi, the ribbon from Wal-mart, and the glitter used on the butterfly and flower centers is a MS glitter pen. To accentuate the opposite corners I just cut a corner piece off the ribbon and made the little triangles. Now it is bedtime. Thanks for looking.

Good Morning

Yes I know it is 1:25 am Sat. morning. And yes I know I didn't go to bed till 12:20 am yesterday morning. and yes I know I got up at 4:45 yesterday morning. But just think I'll have Saturday's 365 challenge finished before most of you even see it. I have a family reunion this afternoon and they are having a silent auction, so that they can buy supplies for next years reunion. It is just a fun thing. So I am making a little box to put some of my cards in for them to auction off. And yes Robyn, I am having withdrawals. ;) No I have not got my food prepared or even been to the grocery to buy anything. Maybe have to make a quick trip to the bakery when it opens. Today's challenge was to stamp or do a digi image in black on white. Then just add a touch of color. This image is not stamped or digi, but from an old set of cards that Karen gave me I guess 20 years ago. I had used all but this one. Thanks Karen, for contributing to the challenge today. *wink* I added some rhinestones to give it a little sparkle. And to finish off today's blog, I am sharing a picture, that my 20 year old grand-daughter had taken at her other Grandmother's farm. Amber was in a photography class last semester. Everyone have a good day.

Welcome Baby

I am using the card today for two challenges. Pat's at Southern Breezes and Pam's at 365Cards. I love it when it comes together like that.



Pat's challenge was to use your favorite punch on a card or layout. The punch I used on the little apron was the very first punch I bought. I wasn't able to buy but one, so I had to choose from all these border punches. So this must have been my favorite, for it to end up on my desk.



Then came 365's challenge and it was all about Gingham. But you won't be surprised, I'm sure that this is not a simple challenge. Create a piece of clothing with gingham as the pattern. You can stamp it, print a digital image, hand-draw it, or whatever you wish to do. I had to download some gingham papers.(activityvillage.co.uk) Then on for a search for some kind of dress template. Alisa Bangerter came up with the winner for me. Thanks for taking a minute for me.

Technology

All the technology in the world won't help you, if you speed read something at 5 in the morning, before you have had your first 5 cups of coffee. The challenge for 365 cards was: How does technology inspire you. But that isn't how my card turned out. At work today I thought about it a time or two, and even picked out a stamp to use, when I got home from work. When I did get home, and sit down in front of my computer to check my email, I thought about how technology had changed my life. Before the computer, I would come home and start working, doing laundry or starting dinner. We all sit around talked about the day, and enjoyed each other's company. The card I made is more of how I feel technology has changed our lives. Thanks for letting me share.

The image I found when I goolgled clip art, the little flowers were left overs from last nights card. The trees and sun were cut with the Cricut, using the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge. And the little cat (aka Flossie Mae) was cut using the George and Basic Shapes cartridge.

Celebrate

That is the sentiment that I used on the card that I made for 365 cards today.

Here is the recipe for today's challenge.

5x5 Card

4 different patterned papers

3 blossoms

1 stamped (ink or digital) image

5 rhinestones

The sentiment is up to you

It has been rainy and damp and I thought cool, but everyone else was enjoying the temps. It is suppose to be another dreary day tomorrow also. But we are one day closer to the weekend. I appreciate you taking time to check in on me.

All four of the papers were from a K&Company little designer Mat Pat. It was called Berry Sweet. The vase and flower stems are from a clear stamp that was not in its original wrapping, so I have no ideal who it is by. I took a close up of the blossoms to prove that there are actually 4 different papers used. There is the layer on top of the base card, the strip across the middle, then 2 different patterns make up the flowers. I cut the little flowers with my Cricut, using the George and Basic Shapes cartridge. To get the flowers that small, I used the sign feature and made the sign measuring at 1 in. So then the little flowers were just the right size. I used one of both papers to make the flower, then added rhinestones by Best Occasions to the center of the 3 flowers and two more positioned to look like new buds on the stems.

Just a Little Sweet

It was such a beautiful day in my part of the world. Fall like temps in the morning, and evening. And the warm temps that I like during the day. Put away your whites, they say, but that is so hard to do for me. I love to wear white. It is a symbol of cleanliness to me. Don't ask me why I think that because I really don't know. I remember when my oldest son was just born, and I did not have a clothes dryer, I would get up real early and get his diapers hung out to dry. An older neighbor came over one day and introduced herself and told me that I had the whitest diapers hanging on a line that she had ever seen. I was only 19 at the time, that was the best compliment that anyone could have ever given me. Oh I guess that leads us into my card for the day. Tammy at 365 cards suggested for today's challenge that we use the word sweet somewhere on our card. I needed a Baby card, and thought I could use this challenge to get it completed. Of course the recipient of this one is having a little girl. Thanks for looking.

Labor Day

I hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend. and a thanks to all of you that work in fields that don't enable you to have off today.

At 365 Cards it is Musical Monday. The song for today is Chantilly Lace, by The Big Bopper.

This one was really hard for me, but finally came up with something. All the images were found by looking through clip art files. The base is pink card stock, the record, I printed on photo paper to give it a shine. The poodle skirt, I recolored it trying to make it a little darker. The lace came from my sewing basket (well more like a big tub). The images was put on using 3D foam dots. TFL.

BOO

A simple BOO to You. *wink*

Here is a peak at the sketch we had togo by for todays 365 card challenge

So here is my take on the sketch. I know I didn't exactly do it like theirs.

And this is the stuff I used.

I used my Cricut to cut out the cone and brim of the witches hat. The cone was made using the Cricut Sampler Cartridge birthday hat. I cut off the top, and cut two ovals placed on top of each other in the Cricut Design Studio, again using the Sampler cartridge.

I'm off to feed Allan. Thanks for letting me share.

CHARMING

Wow did everyone see that beautiful full moon tonight, I know actually yesterday was the full moon, but it looked good anyway.

365's card challenge for today consisted of simply adding a charm to your card. This was and easy one. My cards are not to frilly anyway, just always kinda of simple. If I start embellishing too much, I get carried away and my DH says that I am gwaudying them up. Doing these challenges is really getting my stash of cards built up. I am usually always making one at the last minute to actually give to someone. I am trying to make one for all the occasions. So this will be my wedding cards. I just added a little teardrop crystal charm to the bow. Like I said it is simple, but I think it looks clean. I used the off white glittered DP with bright white, and then the bright white ribbon. I thought it made it stand out more. It doesn't show in the picture but the crystal and glitter looks so pretty in the light. Thanks for looking.

Pickin in the Park

Tonight we are going to the little town square, where they have sit up a stage for performers. There will also be BBQ. Yum Yum. The group 5:17 will be playing again tonight. They are a Christian Rock Group that I talked about in an earlier post. My husband is friends with the Bass player. But we will take our fold out chairs, fight the mosquitoes, and visit with friends. Since we are going to that, I needed to make a fast little card for the 365 challenge. The challenge for today was to use felt or flocking. Well if you know be at all, you know I have to use not one but both. It took longer to find this piece of flocked paper then it did to actually put the card together. So there you have it, a flocked DP with a felt flower on it. I included a picture of the DP so you can see that it is really flocked. I will use it for a sympathy card. The camera did funky things to the colors, but the ribbon does match. Thanks for visiting with me.

Chicken Soup

Today's challenge at 365 Cards is to use a label on your card..."Any kind will do - when in doubt, pull that one off the can of Campbell's Soup" and Pat's at Southern Breezes was to make a shaped card. (Thanks Robyn for reminding me) So this card is a 2fer ;)

Well I literally made a Campbell Soup can card. I googled Campbell's soup clip art, found this and saved it to my photo shop, then put the text Get well on it, printed it out where I could fold it at the edge to make a card, and then cut it out. I have a little chicken soup stamp by Inkadinkado, so I stamped it, colored it with some new Prismacolor pencils, cut it out and adhered it to the front of the can with 3D dots. Inside the card, I stamped and colored the bowl of chicken soup and added the words, Hope you are feeling better soon. Thanks for letting me share.

Heartfelt

365 Challenge was an Ad Inspired challenge brought to us by DT member Kristie, who chose this advertisement:

This ad could have represented many things, but I chose to use the colors, rose and tea cup to inspire me to make a sympathy card. This past year has been a sad year for me. I have been to many funerals, and celebrations of life. Too many friends, both older and younger, some I've known forever, some a few years. Some died way to young, and for some, they had lived to see many many changes in the world. I used a stamp that a friend just gave me Monday. I could not wait to use it. It is by Art Declassified. "Cafe Paris" It was so ironic, that I just received it, and this ad with the tea cup was the inspiration for today's challenge. I used StazOn Jet Black ink to stamp it on bright white paper. The base of the card was bright white card stock, the DP paper was just on my desk. The rose came from Jolee's Dimensional Stickers. Heartfelt from a package of stickers made by Making Memories. Thanks for letting me play along.

Love is Blue

Blue, blue, my world is blue

Blue is my world now I'm without you

Gray, gray, my life is gray

Cold is my heart since you went away

Red, red, my eyes are red

Crying for you alone in my bed

Green, green, my jealous heart

I doubted you and now we're apart

CHORUS:When we met how the bright sun shone

Then love died, now the rainbow is gone

Black, black, the nights I've known

Longing for you so lost and alone

Gone, gone, the love we knew

Blue is my world now I'm without you.

Repeat CHORUS

Black, black, the nights I've known

Longing for you so lost and alone

Blue, blue, my world is blue

Blue is my world now I'm without you



My first real love was in 1968. This song was in the top 10 for 5 straight weeks. I should have listened to the words better. *wink*

Now on to the 365 challenge. Three Shades of Blue.

I was going through some papers trying to decide on something, when I found this piece from Miss Elizabeths. I thought the medallion looking thing was eye catching. Of course it was just one of them and in the middle of the 12 x 12 sheet. I used a pearl blue for the base, more DP then the cut out. I finished it off with some blue rhinestones. Thanks for looking.