Happy Birthday Momma!

I have made a card for my Mom this week. She will turn 71 on the 8th of this month and we live in different states. I very rarely get a chance to see her, especially on her birthday.

Even though I know she will never see this post I want to wish her a Happy Birthday!
Muah, love you Mom!

This week I choose a challenge from The Shabby Tea Room week #73 'Mix and Match'. The basics is you must use 3 different patterned papers in your design. The photo they showed for inspiration was glorious.

Well as most of the country has been feeling it is no different here....HOT. I am so ready for colder weather. It seems that Spring comes earlier each year. Summer stays longer. And Fall and Winter don't last long enough. If you would like to try the challenge above just click and the link and it will take you to their page. It is so much fun. I would really like to Thank all of the women who put the challenges together. A little help goes a long way. hehehe
Well, I am hoping you all have a BLESSED DAY.
Later, Linda

Patterened Paper by Anna Griffin Pink/Green Quadrant

The digi is 'Flora' from Sugar Nellie

Cuttlebug embossing folder 'Perfectly Paisley'

Ready for Fall !!!!!

Hello! Thought I would just share a quick card that I made today. I am so ready for Fall !! Yes, you heard me Fall and I love Winter. I am honestly not a fan of heat.

Here is my card. I hope it brings someone a smile. I used a piece of foam in the CB! I was so excited. Have a good day and enjoy.

See You Later

Wow, how time fly these days. It sure doesn't seem like it has been a few months since I blogged. I am not getting better at this... just slower, lol.

Today I am making a card for The Pixie Cottage Challenge #78. You should click on the link and go see all the wonderful treats those talented people created. They amaze me!!!

This card is also a little bit of reflection. I have never been the type of person to say goodbye when someone special passes away. I don't believe that saying 'goodbye' is a true statement. To me saying goodbye is when I am leaving and I don't know if I will ever see that person again. But, when someone passes away and I believe in my heart that I will see them again (in Heaven), I can't bring myself to say goodbye... so, I say See You Later.

This year has brought about many moments for me to reflect on death. I thought after my father passed away, 14 yrs ago, death (of any kind) would be easier. However, it doesn't. I have been emotionally broken this whole year! Death has come to me in the passing of a wonderful women (Aunt Debbie) and the loss of deep trust in someone I thought was heaven sent.

The good news is I have grown! I know that breathing can be difficult afterwards but, I will still breathe. I know that life feels a little more empty but, it is still life. I have learned thru death that time is precious! I spend more time looking up rather than looking down. I may never get over the hurt I have felt this year or stop the memories from flooding my mind but, I will go on.

So, I needed to say See You Later in a card. I wanted to put some things behind me. I need to move past a few boulders in my mind and keep smiling.

I pray each one of you have a BLESSED day.

Later, Linda

TSTR. #56 Spring Color Challenge

Good afternoon. I hope you have all been able to enjoy this wonderful Spring weather. I have loved being outside but, I have been so busy. I would like to spend every moment of my day out in this nice weather. I would relax and just breathe...until I see something that needs my attention. I really try to relax but, the plants start calling my name. So, until I can learn to not jump and run, I won't be able to fully relax. Life is so busy with my son graduating and prom. The normal household chores seem to never get finished and I am so tired. However, I am so glad to see my oldest son reach one more milestone in life. OK, now onto my card. I am so glad to have found a challenge to join. The Shabby Tea Room, week #56 - 'Spring Color Challenge'. I just loved using the colors from the photo. Go check them out!! They have some very pretty creations. I used House Mouse 'This egg's for you' stamp. I colored him with my MS color pencils. I really think those colors are gorgeous.

I also tried to make paper roses. I don't think they are to bad but, I so need more practice. I also used a small piece of purple woven ribbon. Then added a few butterflies. I hope you all have a great evening.

Later, Linda

Simple Thanks

It has been so pretty outside! I love Spring:-). The roses and amaryllis are blooming and they smell so delicious. I like sitting out under the cabana and watching daily as the blossoms slowly open. It is so peaceful.

I created a card of thanks for a special young women. This is my first time trying to make flowers. I don't think they are terrible but, I need more practice.

I pray you all enjoy your day.

Later, Linda

Senior photos!

Good evening bloggers. I thought I would drop by and let you all know I have been a busy little lady. My oldest son will graduate in May! Where has the time gone? I am so very proud and yet, so very sad. So, long story short, I will be card making again soon. I leave you all with a few pics of my boy (young man).

I pray you all are blessed. Linda

Baby Autumn

Good evening! I am posting today after a very long week. I am just about worn completely out. I am typing to get a post in and to relieve a little stress. My weekend started on Thursday with news that sweet baby Autumn had been stillborn. Autumn was the baby of a friend of mine. He was going to have full custody of Autumn because her mother did not want her. Then he received the news she was 2 months early and stillborn. My heart wept for him!! I know he really wanted to be a daddy again. When Friday rolled around I thought things would be better.

Much to my surprise I found out a young girl 15 years old has went missing. She was walking to the library on Thursday..school clothes and back sack. No one has heard from her or seen her.

I kept thinking to myself what else could go wrong? Well, I should have never ask. We woke up Saturday with water heater problems. uurrggghhh!!! Iwas just about to break, when I realized I had to pull it all together. There was so much work to be done.

I have not been in the best of health. I have been struggling with my 18 year old over grades. He has honestly been grounded since January. My youngest is going thru the 'do I have to shower stage'! Really???? Why do boys think that they don't need showers? I had 3 sisters and we lived for showers. We couldn't get clean enough! But I promise it is like he wakes up in a new world each day and seems to forget that hygiene is a MUST!

So now since I have vented a little I will tell you about my card. As you know I made the card for my friend. I used the colors he had put in a tattoo (her name) about a month ago. I wanted him to see a smiling baby girl. On the inside of the card I wrote a special poem for him. I tried to write it as if Autumn was speaking to him. And today(Sunday) I delivered it. One of the hardest things I have ever done in my life.

I seen in his eyes my words had touched him... I felt better and sad at the same time.

I am praying this coming week showers me with blessings. I need a few right now.

Have a good week!

Later, Linda

March

Welcome to March!! I will be back to creating cards and I will also be making scrapbook pages.
I have been sick and took a small break. I am much better now and I am ready to get my 'craft' on...lol.
Psalm 37:39 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Have a good evening, Linda

Tiny Wings Auction for Madison Paige Staats

I have been reading a truly heart breaking blog. The Staats family. If you click on their name it will take you to their blog.

There is an auction being held over at Polka Dot Junkie for this amazing family.
They are suffering from the loss of their sweet baby Madison. The auction is to help raise money for the family. Polka Dot Junkie is doing an awesome job. The auction will continue until Thursday March 3rd at 8:00 p.m. Drop by and see how you may be able to help. Just click on the Polka Dot Junkie link and go to photos. And Please say a prayer for this family.

With much Love... Later, Linda

The Pixie Cottage Challenge #58

Good Morning! I sure hope all is going well with each of you. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my new card. I am still so sick. It must be age!! However, I haven' t given up yet.

Today I created a card for The Pixie Cottage Challenge # 58.

You can click on the link and have a peek at the challenge.

This week was a sketch and/or something cute. We all know that I am going to use a sketch! I am not as talented as some (most) of these women in the cyber world.

Ok, now my card. My stamped image comes from the Wagon Full of Fun made by Stampin' Up. The duck was a neccessity purchase (my last name). hehehe I stamped him and the words Lucky duck using Stazon. I paper pieced the scarf around his neck to match the DP I used for the strip. I also attempted a first. I dyed and cut a flower out of coffee filters. It is suppose to look like a daffodile. I usually sit and read blogs with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine so it seemed only right to use filters. Plus I tried pulling off wine labels and that bites! Sorry I digress. I also used Spellbinders Scalloped Circles. I forgot to mention in my last post that I used Spellbinders Inverted Squares in my design and left someone guessing. I apologize. I finished the card with a few dew drops from The Robins Nest.

I hope you enjoyed my card. Thanks again for coming by and checking out my blog. I pray you each have a wonderful day. Later, Linda

The Pixie Cottage Challenge #57

Hello, glad you stopped by to visit my blog.

Germs!!!! No matter how hard I try to avoid them if a child in my home gets sick, I am soon to follow. Both of my boys have been ill and I have been so careful!!!! Yet, here I sit today stuffy nose and congested. I delight in being a mother it is such a blessing. So through my illness I will still create a card or two.

Today I am tackling The Pixie Cottage Challenge #57.

Click on their name and check them out.

I thought the sketch would be relatively easy for me and the embossing would be a cinch. Then I realized after I colored and cut out Mudpie (twice) that I am not that talented. Can you remember anyone ever saying, 'be smarter than the tools that you use'? Well I have heard that before and for the love of scrap booking, the Cuttlebug wins today.

Now onto my card. I choose Mudpie Holds Jellybeans for my stamp. He has the cutest little face! I used the CB to emboss the Colormates medium glorious green card stock. I used a Provocraft die to cut the corner shapes and cut the center strip to match.

I thought long and hard about a decent quote for Mudpie's challenge of gathering jellybeans. Eleanor Roosevelt quotes are always inspiring so, "You must do the things you think you cannot do." was placed below Mudpie.

I pray each of you have a good weekend.

Later, Linda

TSTR #49 WARM

Good afternoon, thanks for stopping by and checking out my card today. It has been a very long day so far and I so need rest. My body has fought me all morning. However, working thru the pain is giving me a little hope. Plus, The Shabby Tea Room has a marvelous challenge that is to hard for me to resist. (Just click on their name and check them out.)

They have ask for 'warm'. I so love that word. Warm has so many meanings like hotter than temperate, ardent, predominantly red or yellow in tone, passionate or cordial. So, it was very easy for me to make this lovely card. I started by finding some warm colors, sort of like, the photo at The Shabby Tea Room.

It wasn't hard once I found the burnt orange card stock. I then came across the floral paisley DP made by Paper Studio. The cute little stamp is from Stampabilities. I'm in love with that mouse. The quote is one of my favorites. It says ' The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.' ~ Thomas Jefferson~.

I pray each and every one of you find your warmth.

Later, Linda

Color Throwdown #128

Here we go with a Color Throwdown challenge. I have been trying to get around this week and create another card. Not an easy task but, it all comes in small steps.

I looked at the colors over at Color Throwdown and knew that this would be daunting. It seemed impossible for me to think of how to create a card using these colors.

I tryed everything... the scrap pile grew emmensly today.

Then I made this card and viola, my entry.

The colors this week are

You can find the challenge here

Color Throwdown #128

As most of you all know I don't have a girl. God blessed me with the love of two boys. It seems to be very hard for me to use the colors purple and pink. They are very pretty colors and I should try to use them more often but, let us not push me.

Now more about the card. I used a Martha Stewart punch on the bottom edge. The love stamp came from a bin in Michaels. I love those 25 cent deals. I used diamond stickles on the corners after I used to CB for the impressions. I added the black and red hearts and put on a lavender ribbon. The photo doesn't show the color very well.

I hope you all enjoy my take on the Color Throwdown this week.

Later, Linda.

Sleeping Bear

Good afternoon! I am excited about my post today. I found an awesome challenge to participate in and I have made the cutest card. ( bragging about myself makes me smile...lol)

I wanted to create a card that meant a bunch to me and to someone special. I wish we all had a bear in our lives to help with our daily struggles. My 'bear' has helped me out quite a bit lately and is so easy to relate to. He is there for me when I seem to need him the most...just like a stuffed bear.

Most of us remember stuffed animals as children and we all had our favorite. Something so simple helped mold each of us into the adults we are today. Thankfully most of us turned out a'ight. hehehe

The challenge I am joining today is the Pixie Cottage !!

The DP is made by Ann Griffin and that textured brown paper is from Paper Studio. I was also able to use buttons!

Have a good evening my friends and be safe in all you do!!!

Later, Linda

My precious Adia Laini watching me on Saturday .. I wasn't throwing her stuffed tiger!

Life goes on...

Good evening! I am ready to jump back into the challanges with both feet.

Today my card has dual purposes. 1st to create a card for the Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge and 2nd to put the past away. My father passed away on February 2nd and each year I abhor this day. So I have made a decision to change my thought process. I think in everyones life there comes a time when you can't keep hanging on, hoping for a different outcome. What is the definition of insanity ... doing the same thing over and over expecting diferrent results. Well, I am done expecting.

Now onto my card. I used the CB to cut out the circle scallops. Then on the black I punched the holes to give it a little tweak. The ribbon is from Paper Studio, I just love that self adhesive ribbon.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your evening.

Later my friends, Linda

Hope

Hope!!

Starting again with a new outlook should be interesting to say the least.

I guess it is time for a change. After speaking to a few friends I have determined it's time for me to create. I can't just leave all the fun to them, hehehe.

I am looking forward to celebrating my youngest son's birthday on the 4th of February, but I struggle to get to that day. So, I have created a card to help with the upcoming week.

This card is simply refreshing for me. I am looking forward to getting back to some challanges. Here is hoping you all have a wonderful day.

Later friends, Linda