Card Chain Challenge

 

Deborah Nolan has been coordinating a card exchange on her blog The Society of Stampaholics     for several years.  She keeps statistics on which states and countries have been represented by the people who sign up for the card exchange.  Deborah calls it her Card Chain Challenge.  After all the cards have been sent and received, she posts them all on her blog and then a new sign up period begins. 

 

I have received cards from all over the world; and have sent them, too.  It is another way to share this hobby and make new crafty friends.  This card went to Lisa in Massachusetts and I know she's received it.  In turn, I received a card from my blogging friend Lin who lives in Ohio.

 

This is a Penny Black image called Flowers for Mimi.  I colored Mimi using the color theme posted on Deborah's blog.   

 

We are alternating between sunny days in the 60's and cloudy days in the 30's lately.  It's that time of year when Mother Nature can't make up her mind!

 

I'm so glad you stopped by today.  I love having company.

 

 

 

 

Lauren and Andrew with Happy Mail

These beautiful people are my grandchildren who live in Atlanta.  They are holding the Valentines, birthday card, and "just because" card that I recently sent.  Lauren's 13th birthday was last week; Andrew is a year and a half younger.

They are honor roll students and very involved in sports.  Andrew plays football, baseball and tennis.  Lauren is very involved with CheerSport.  That's where the kids tumble and fly around the stage and make huge pyramids with their teammates!  It is truly scary to watch!!  Lauren's team has had a very successful season.  Andrew takes to each sport as if he was born knowing how.

 

This is a photo of Lauren and Andrew about five years ago when they came for a visit to Alabama all the way from Michigan.  They are holding the cards they made during their visit.  I have also taken card making supplies to Atlanta when we visit and we have fun memories of making cards together.

It has been a joy to share in their activities!  We have been to soccer, football, baseball, volleyball and CheerSport events.  Maybe some basketball in there, too.

Lauren and Andrew's Mom and Dad have kept us connected with photos and videos.  And for every gift or card we receive a thank you note or phone call! 

So here's to you, Lauren and Andrew!!  So proud of you and so happy for all the good things in your life!!

Now that I have your attention with these beautiful grandchildren, please stop by the Penny Black blog today for another edition of

Happy Birthday, Lauren!!

Today is a special day for my granddaughter, Lauren.  She is now thirteen!  It has been a delight to watch this young lady change from a precocious toddler (who always believed she was a teenager) to a lovely young woman.  She is accomplished in her schoolwork and her cheersport work.  Happy Birthday, Lauren!


I've used the cupcakes from the Penny Black Sweet Thing stamp, featuring Mimi.


And inside .. lo and behold!  Mimi holding another yummy cupcake.  The card is created from a Karen Burniston Pop it Up die.  The hearts and butterflies are Penny Black Creative Dies. 

I am loving making Pop It Up cards and the grandkids are having fun receiving them.  It's a win-win!

I love it that this hobby (addiction) of ours can result in sending a smile to someone we love!!

Sunny day today.  Yesterday the dog and I spent some lovely time outdoors.  It had been awhile since we were able to play in the park and I don't know who enjoyed it more!!

Thanks for stopping by. 

Sunny Pair

 

I needed a change of pace from all the Valentine cards I've made and so chose this Sunflower pair from Penny Black. I had it in my head to have the flowers on a white background with a black and white gingham bow. And then I spotted the burlap ribbon on my desk and everything changed!

The note card has been sprayed with Glimmer Mist in a khaki color. I've added the sentiment and diecut banner also from Penny Black.

Now that you stopped by I hope you will go from here to the Penny Black blog where the next edition of Runs With Scissors by yours truly is now posted!!

40-312  Sunny Pair
30-226  Kind Words
51-027  Triple Banner

Be sure to join me tomorrow for my next adventure on the Penny Black blog!  See you there!

Alabama Snow!

This is our backyard after a significant snowfall! It's been a crazy, cold and now snowy winter. Like everyone else in our city, we just wait for it to melt. No plowing, no sanding, no salting; just waiting.

Hopefully this is the last hurrah for the Arctic Vortex!!

Stay warm!! Stay safe.

Love You

A Valentine made with Penny Black's Heart Swatches, stamped and embossed in white. The background of patterened paper and vellum strip is stitched onto the base card. Penny Black's Creative Die "Wishes" used for the sentient.

I think I have now shared all my Valentines! We have three birthdays in our family in February, so that's the next project. I love making cards for special occasions. The trouble is, once I make them I have it in my head that I have taken care of that occasion! Note to self: the cards have to be mailed before you can check them off your list.

We had two inches of snow this morning. Made for nasty roads for a few hours but by afternoon the snow was gone. There's another storm heading our way overnight. The doctor's office called and cancelled Larry's check up appointment for tomorrow. They are planning ahead! When it snows, everything just shuts down. All schools, the University, the Army base, NASA .. Space Center, Museums ... even the Interstate!! It happens so seldom that communities don't invest in snow removal equipment.

We'll see what tomorrow brings! My cupboards are full ... made soup today... we are prepared!!

Thanks for your visit! Stay safe and warm.

Final Valentine!

 

This is the last Valentine I needed to make and it's for the early-teen grandson.  This might be the last year I can send "cute" ... hope he enjoys it!

 

I used the Sizzix "House"dies designed by Karen Burnison to make this pop 'n cut card.  I have so much fun adding decorations and of course, the Penny Black hedgie.

 

The front of the card is never the main attraction ....

The magic is all in the inside!!  Hearts, banners, gingham and a hedgie ... all sending hugs and kisses.  And my white gel pen was working the day I made this so I added white accents wherever the spirit dictated!  Glossy accents add some shine, which isn't showing up in the picture!

 

Now that I have the cards made and some books for Eveie, it's time to put everything in the mail and send hugs and kisses to those grandkids!!

 

Don't know where this week disappeared to ... another weekend almost here.  Thanks for your visit; I love company!!

Stamps:  Penny Black Piece of My Heart  30-042
              Penny Black From the Heart  30-207

Dies:      Penny Black Creative Dies Love Expressions  30-207
              Sizzix  Houses  658794

Penny Black and Accordian Circle Valentines

First of all, a GREAT BIG THANK YOU for all my blogging and stamping friends that helped me celebrate my first "Running With Scissors" column on the Penny Black blog.  I read and appreciated every comment.  The next column will be published on February 15th.

 

The week before my column appeared, Penny Black invited Kelly Booth to share her incredible work on their blog.  Of course, Kelly made several interactive cards for which she is well known.

 

Kelly so inspired me that I spent my weekend making Valentines for a grandson and granddaughter using Penny Black stamps and Elizabeth Crafts dies connecting with my "inner Kelly".

This card took HOURS and still wouldn't be finished if Kelly hadn't given me this link to the video that clearly demonstrates how to cut out and assemble the card.  I calculated my time at the rate I was paid before retirement and this became a $300 card!

 

 

The second card took a fraction of the time and I enjoyed the process ... similar to assembling a fun jigsaw puzzle.    The Penny Black stamps are so cute and the diecuts are so precise that the card is fun to make.  I loved that I had a punch to create the puzzle pieces to trim this card .. perfect!

 

My extra thanks to Kelly for the flurry of emails, the encouragement and the applause when I was finished!!  Blogging friends are the best!

 

Thanks for stopping by! 

 

Supplies:

Stamps:  Penny Black Pieces of my Heart 30-042

Dies:       Elizabeth Crafts Accordian Circle Card 769

                                           Square with Circle Frame Edges 768

A Penny Black Card and Happy News

First the Penny Black card using the Heart Swatches transparent set.   My card is inspired by the technique Birgit used here.  I've also used Penny Black's creative die from Love Expressions. 

And now for the happy news!  It is all I can do to sit still while I tell you that I have been invited to be a regular contributor to the Penny Black blog!  My first column appears today and I would love it if you would stop by the Penny Black blog and share in the fun.   Hopefully, you will meet my family as they hang out and leave their comments.

And for those of you who count the number of exclamation points I often use while discussing Penny Black, I do hope you noticed the limited use in this announcement.

BUT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!