Sunday, June 25, 2017

Surprise!

At the moment, I am beaming! LeAnne will be so proud of me because I remembered her post from a couple of days ago AND I used another recycled product for my card! (She knows how I love "recycle" challenges!)

We had homemade potato chips from the other day, which we ate last night. I threw the bottom of the takeout container away but kept the top. This morning I looked at it and the light bulb came on for the Freshly Made Sketches (FMS293) Challenge by Karren

Et voila! 


My card base is Basic Black, the silver is the top of my takeout container, the mat for the sentiment is Basic Black cardstock punched out with SU's Pretty Label punch. The "thanks" was die cut from silver glimmer paper before we left FL almost two weeks ago. This was quick, easy, clean and simple! I don't normally do CAS but since I did, I decided to enter this in AAA Cards CAS Game #93.

I knew we would need a lot of thank you notes, but this one was a total surprise!!

Thanks for looking.



Saturday, June 24, 2017

Paper Pumpkin Time Again!

I didn't think I'd have time to make a card while we were in Latham BUT when I checked the Saturday challenges, there was only one that I was able to do. So, without further ado...


I used pieces from my March 2016 Paper Pumpkin kit and stamps from the April 2017 kit. My color is Bermuda Bay.

Sketch Saturday #469 was what I used for my layout. Thank you, Alex, for your design.

We are now off to meet my sister and niece at the Cheesecake Factory. We have never been there. Tonight we will be dining with our daughter and son-in-love, along with his parents. Tomorrow I will be buying a size larger outfit...lol!

Thanks for looking!




Friday, June 23, 2017

Heartless? No Way!

made it easy for me this morning before we leave for the hotel in Latham, NY! I changed the orientation of the sketch a little. My inspiration came from Brandy Cox.



I brought along the tin box from this year's Stampin' Up Sale-a-bration, filled with goodies. Little did I know how handy it would be.

I also brought a bunch of card bases with me, different shapes for embellishments and some pieces I had intended to throw away. I had run a piece of aluminum foil through my Big Shot using the retired Honeycomb TIEF and had mounted it on a Real Red mat. The hearts were pre-cut and pre-colored. The banner was going to be a "throw away" because I didn't like the way I had cut it or stamped it. It was stamped with the retired Alphabet Rotary Stamp. That stamp is not easy to use but it is so versatile.

Thanks for looking!


Thursday, June 22, 2017

One Layer Flowers!


I can't believe I did a one layer flower challenge...here ya go people, it's late and I'm tired so check these sites out :-)


and


My colors are Bermuda Bay, Fresh Fig, Lemon Lime Twist and Emerald Envy. When I take stamp sets on the road from Paper Pumpkin kits, or wherever, I need to write down what they are...I have no idea!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday we are on the road in different motels/hotels so I won't be entering any challenges or making cards. Please don't give up visiting me though!

Thanks for looking.

Stampin' Up Paper Pumpkin - April 2017 Alternative

TSOT #326 Sketch by Kaylin was one that appealed to me.

When you are traveling, there is nothing greater to take with you than a Paper Pumpkin kit.



For my left side panel, I chose Lemon Lime Twist (no surprise there, Mary!) and for the right, I used the inside of one of the envelopes. The 3 pearls on the upper right corner were colored with the LLT marker but it hardly shows in the photo. 

In the kit was a watercolor panel that had geometric shapes. I colored one of them with Basic Black and LLT, then fussy cut it. I made my banner with Basic Black and Whisper White sponged with LLT. I used the stamp set from that kit to stamp on the banner in LLT. 

On the inside, I stamped the remainder of the sentiment. I'm not sure if the "You" is supposed to look like that but no matter how much I inked the stamp, the "Y" stayed the same. I sponged the edges of the Whisper White mat with Lemon Lime Twist. It's a shame I don't like that color...lol. I may use another stamp from the kit to stamp the dots on the mat to match the front. What do you think? Too plain and I should add dots or leave it alone?

I think I made the right choices with what I brought with me. However, if I get bored, there's a Michael's 30 minutes down the road.

Thanks for looking!

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

What, Me Worry?

My card today is quite pink, with many butterflies, and stamps from the March 2016 Paper Pumpkin kit. I'm getting mileage out of that kit while we are traveling! So with that set and the Shopping Our Stash - Think Pink - SOS #308 challenge, I used the sketch idea from Retro Rubber Challenge RRC65 Feeling Sketchy. I hope you will visit SOS to see why they chose Pink for their challenge. With Retro Rubber, you always have to use at least one stamp that is a year old or older.

RRCB 65

I found a new site through Paper Playful...Mustard Seed Faith Challenge - Worry. I'm very glad I did because, not only is it a card challenge, it's a devotional with sagely advice. So, with all that said...



I happened to have a pad of Mariposa DSP with me and brought along my pre-cut butterflies for embellishments. I used a Calypso Coral marker to ink up my stamps because I only brought 4 colors: Bermuda Bay, Fresh Fig, Lemon Lime Twist, Tranquil Tide and Black ink pads. The Powder Pink and Berry Burst were 2 I left home :-( They would have worked perfectly.

Monday night we had a wonderful meal prepared by our son-in-love and his sous-chef (our daughter). He makes a wicked Chicken Piccata! Last night we met them at the Raindancer in Amsterdam. It's been over 20 years since we were there and it hadn't changed! I have more time to make cards because I don't have to cook or do dishes!!

Thanks for looking.


Tuesday, June 20, 2017

TSOT and I Did!

If you've been following my blog, you know we are on the road traveling from FL to NY. Before we left, I knew I was going to have to make a card as Guest Designer for Try Stampin' - or not - on Tuesday. I brought two SU Paper Pumpkin kits with me,  just a few pieces of cardstock, and DSP from the new Stampin' Up In Colors 2017 - 2019. I brought one punch and the coordinating stamp set. I also packed my trimmer and scoring board. At the time we left, I didn't know what the sketch was because I didn't have time to look at Facebook or my email. If I had seen it, I would have embossed the cross piece with my Petal Burst TIEF.

When I saw the sketch from CherylAnn, I loved it immediately. We were staying at the Holiday Inn Express at Childress Vineyard and I suddenly became smarter as a Guest Designer. It's only funny if you know the ad! 
With the ample space for creating, I came up with this card. Hope you like it.

Cardstock used was Whisper White, Tranquil Tie, Fresh Fig and Lemon Lime Twist. The flowers and pearls are from the April 2017 Paper Pumpkin kit. The DSP panel is from the Color Theory paper stack. The sentiment is from Label Me Pretty, stamped in Fresh Fig, punched with the Pretty Label punch. I adhered it with dimensionals from the kit.  

This card will take extra postage because the flowers are quite thick and breakable. I am still hoping to hand deliver it but our vacation plans had to change. We're not sure if we are going to be able to go to the Finger Lakes to see my brother and sil. It's her birthday in July and I was hoping to give it to her.

It was such fun being given the opportunity to do this and I am very thankful for Paper Pumpkin coming to my rescue yet again!

Thanks for looking.

Monday, June 19, 2017

Father's Day

We had a wonderful father's day with our daughter, son-in-love and grandson. It started out at their house in their beautiful new kitchen. After some lovely Malbec, we went to Black & Blue Steak and Crab Restaurant, Albany, NY. The ambiance and service was great. The appetizers, entrees and dessert were fantastic. If you go there, try their Crab and Lobster fondue...oh, my! Perry and I don't like oysters, but Kerri and Gene ordered them so he tried one and he liked  it. Jacob had a crab cake and it was quite tasty. Four of us had filet mignon and one had a Kansas City strip. Everyone said it just melted in their mouth. I had truffle butter with mine...yum!  



It might have been the Achaval Ferrer wine taking the pics :-)  I need to practice selfies! 

The greatest part about the day was that it was the first Father's Day in 17 years that we have been able to be together.

Birds of a Feather

I have chosen three colors from 
and the sketch from
and the theme from
for my challenges today. Because I don't have many supplies with me. I'm not sure if this card will qualify for a CAS but I'll give it a go because it was simple! I also had to loosely interpret the sketch.


My birds are talking about this "egg" they just laid! I hope I didn't lay an egg with my card!!

Thanks for looking.

Saturday, June 17, 2017

New York!

We left Lexington, NC at 6:30 AM headed for the Finger Lakes. Unfortunately, my brother and sister-in-love just returned from Alaska yesterday and with them a cold or bronchial infection. With Perry's immune system, we couldn't take the chance so we headed for his sister's in Gloversville. She is in Myrtle Beach so we have the whole house to ourselves except for Sammie. Sammie is a tuxedo cat just like our Tini. She is sweet and took her about an hour before she decided to see who was here!

I haven't had time nor space to create a card so I thought I'd just share some pics of our experiences along the way. While we were on the road, we saw some interesting things on wheels. Get a load of this bus...
Peacemaker Bus

I Googled it...Twelve Tribes

Then we saw this...
What was it? If you know, please comment because we have no idea and didn't even know how to Google it!

I finally remembered to take a pic of our last meal at Childress. Perry had what I had yesterday and I had what he had.
Honey Walnut Chicken Salad Croissant and Fries

Bistro Burger with Applewood Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Fried Pickles, Caramelized Onions, Heirloom Tomatoes, Malt Vinegar Mayo and a cup of Tomato Basil soup

Then not to be outdone, this little guy had to get in the pic before the sunset from our room...skunks really ARE cute...



I am so disappointed we didn't get pics of our visit to Hanover Park Vineyard and our wonderful tasting of whites with Amy the owner...and Pearl, of course! We then moseyed on to Westbend Winery and Brewery where we met Holly and Jenny (formerly of Childress). Holly gave us a tour of the renovated winery (under new owners) and Jenny gave us a tour of the two bedroom cottage. Their wines were spectacular. Perry also tried an IPA and I tried the chocolate/caramel beer...YUM. While we were there, Perry's doctor (now our friend) came with her son and boyfriend. We had many good laughs and a few tears. They had just come from zip lining...we ARE going to try that in our old age!! It was a wonderful afternoon filled with hugs and laughter.

I took a pic of my crafting space...just to bring the blog back around to cards!
It's more room than I have at home. BUT, what I have at home is much less expensive!!

Thanks for looking.



Friday, June 16, 2017

Another Pumpkin to the Rescue!

For our trip to upstate NY and the Finger Lakes, I brought two Paper Pumpkin kits. One from March 2016, which I used yesterday, and one from April 2017. The "Sara" one is what I used this morning. It's an overcast day and we are waiting to go to the vineyard so I checked for challenges, et voila! (I always think of you, Mary!)

First, let's go with my card and then I'll tell you about the challenge. There are two items not from the kit: the sentiment punch out shapes called "Pretty Label" (aptly named); and the sentiment from "Label Me Pretty". Also, my Lemon Lime Twist mats are from the 2017-2019 In Colors. Thank you, Sara, for putting that color in the kit! The striped DSP was cut from the inside of one of the envelopes. I may spruce it up a little when I get home, but I worked with what I had and I believe it's CAS.



There are so many people who care for us and pray for us that when I saw Alphabet Challenge "G for Give Thanks", I knew I had the goods to make it. 

Thanks for looking!

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Bermuda Bay

This morning I made a card in our hotel room overlooking the vineyard. I spent most of my time trying to figure out how to get my new cutting blade into my Martha Stewart cutting board. I finally had to remove the old one with tweezers and then the rest was a piece of cake. I had to make my card simple and easy because we have too many vineyards to visit.

Knowing that I was going to have to prepare a card as guest designer for TSOT while traveling, I brought the March 2016 Paper Pumpkin kit with me, matching card stock and markers. I also knew I would be making another card while we were away so I brought the 2017-2019 In Colors. CAS(E) This Sketch #225 had the nice, easy layout I was hoping for and 



Paper Craft Crew Inspiration Challenge 248. Play along at www.papercraftcrew.com #inspirationchallenge #pcc2017 #craft
Paper Craft Crew - PCCC#248 Inspiration Challenge had the colors I wanted. Here's my card...

My Whisper White card base is 4 1/4 scored at 5 1/2. I cut two Bermuda Bay mats 2 1/4  X 5 1/4 and 1 1/2 x 5 1/4. The DSP from the PP Kit is cut from an envelope at 2 1/8  x 5 1/8 and 1 3/8 x 5 1/8.  I miss my grid paper for measuring! The square sentiment Bermuda Bay mat was cut at 2 1/2  x 2 1/2, the DSP was a pre-cut piece from the kit as was the square with dots. I'm not sure what set the sentiment came from because I don't have the case. It was stamped in Bermuda Bay. The inside has a strip from the envelope and the rectangular sentiment was a pre-cut piece from the kit. Again, I don't know what the stamp set is except that it was from the same one as the front! So, with two different "thank you's" I will write, "We can't thank you enough!" It will be for someone who lets us stay with them on our trip north :-)

This morning we did wine tastings at Native Vines and RayLen. Once we got back to our hotel, we went to Childress Vineyard for our lunch and wine in "our" gazebo. We really need to have a plaque made for there! It is our favorite spot where we will renew our wedding vows in 9/27/19 (50 years) if the Lord is willing to keep us alive and well that long. Here's the view...

We enjoyed deep fried dill pickles for our appetizer and Pinnacle wine for our beverage. 
Again, I forgot to take pics of our main meals so we have to return tomorrow and get it right! Perry had a Bistro burger (which I am having tomorrow) and I had Judy's Walnut Chicken Salad on a croissant (which he is having tomorrow). 

We will also be stopping at Hanover Park Vineyard to see Pearl and Amy. This is Pearl and Perry on June 7, 2013, before his tumor was removed.


We hope to see our friend, Holly, at Westbend Vineyard and then chill at Medaloni Cellars with the doctor who helped save/prolong Perry's life May 29, 2013. If she hadn't been proactive and pushed all the tests and surgery through for what turned out to be a rapidly growing sarcoma, we probably wouldn't be enjoying this trip. Unfortunately, even with 33 high dose radiation treatments in NC, it metastasized to most parts of his body by the time we were able to return to FL from NC. On our way to radiation every day from June 22 to September 12, we went by a community called Bermuda Run so thus the title of my post. We praise God for the chemo that is keeping his cancer stable. He has beat the odds so far! Yondelis is his friend!! His oncologist is totally amazed and stretched the treatment out one week so we could go to our grandson's high school graduation in Saratoga, NY.

On that note, we are now going out on our balcony to enjoy another glass of wine, the sunset and perhaps some leftover pickle chips with ranch dressing!

There probably will not be another card on my blog until June 19 as we will be on the road again heading to the Finger Lakes on Saturday...but you never know. Stay tuned!





Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Everything Childress!

We left Brunswick, GA at 7:30 AM and got to Childress at 1 PM. We got checked into our room. Our view for the next two days...


We met our friend, Kellie, at the Bistro and had a delicious lunch of caesar salad with grilled shrimp, vegegtable raviolis, and a NOLA Po Boy. Can you believe  I didn't take pics? Yep, it's true...no food pics.

Can you believe I didn't even get my card paraphernalia out? Yep it's true!

So, you have checked into a totally boring post, but at least I blogged :-) Today it was all about Childress and a friend who was instrumental in getting us through 4 months of surgery and radiation in 2013 in North Carolina. We didn't know each other from Adam at the time and she is no longer manager of the RV campground where we stayed. However, Facebook brought us together miles apart. Maybe even tomorrow it will be about Childress Vineyard and Hanover Park Vineyard...but there will be food and cards involved!!

Good night and God bless!

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Night off!

We are in Brunswick, GA right now on our way to Childress Vineyard. We had a safe trip with a little rain here and there around Gainesville and lower Georgia. I did get to work on a card tonight but I left the glue and scissors out in the car so I couldn't assemble it...maybe tomorrow night.

For now, you will have to settle for food pics rather than a card/challenge. Well, I do have one pic of cards I was selling at the Irish pub yesterday :-)

Fried  Battered Calamari with Fried Battered Red and Green Pepper
Calamari Arrabiata

Fresh Bread with Garlic Dipping Sauce and Italian Dipping Sauce
Deep Fried Buffalo Chicken Rolls

Tin of Cards at the Celtic Ray...sold 4 and got 2 orders!

We are meeting someone very special in our lives at Childress tomorrow for lunch and a wine tasting. We met her in 2013 when Perry was diagnosed with the sarcoma. She was the manager at the campground where she so graciously made arrangements for us to be very comfortable for 3 months when we had only planned to stay a week!

God is good!




Monday, June 12, 2017

Snarky?

I went to Paper Playful to look for an interesting and unusual challenge. Lo and behold, I found one right up my alley. Now, mind you, I am not a drunk, even though I enjoy my wine...but I have been told I'm snarky. SO, I'm entering this card in the Sisterhood of the Snarky Stampers - "D is for Drunk" Challenge

These crafters crack me up! I have visited all their blogs and when I have time, I will go back and comment on each one. In the meantime, here's my card. I used Art Impressions Golden Oldies Aged to Perfection stamp set. As you can see, I like the color purple...and why not? It's the color of grapes and we all know what grapes turn into!




Thanks for looking!! 

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Julie and Mary, This One's for You!

Tonight I watched Mary D. live on FB doing a Triple Time Stamp card. I thought I could get it perfect this time, but I guess I need to watch again! In any event, there is a running joke about Julie and Lemon Lime Twist. She hates it, I have loved it at first sight and Mary is getting used to it. 

So, my friend in PA, LeAnne, who makes incredible cards, had a challenge at The Paper Players #348 - Color Challenge
thus I just had to make my card for Mary and Julie! 

If you haven't seen Mary D.'s cards, you are really missing out...go visit her site and tell her I sent you :-    Stamps N Lingers...she is so much fun and so creative. 


My card base is Stampin' Up's new Lemon Lime Twist. Can you tell I like it? I used Flourishing Phrases stamp set and stamped the big flowers in Daffodil Delight and Pool Party. I used the small flower from Number of Years to stamp the little flowers in DD, LLT and PP. My sentiment is stamped in guess what...why, yes, Lemon Lime Twist. It's from the Flourishing Phrases set.

Mary will be posting all the measurements, etc., on her site tomorrow so be sure to check that out cuz I'm too tired to do that!

Thanks for looking.

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge #2411

Welcome to another PIP Challenge . Here is what I created for it... I just love the background digital from our   awesome sponsor ... This w...