Tuesday, February 28, 2017

" Another Day Of Flowers"

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Hello Everyone!
How are you celebrating the last day of February?
 February 28, 2017 – FAT TUESDAY – NATIONAL CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE DAY – NATIONAL PUBLIC SLEEPING DAY – NATIONAL TOOTH FAIRY DAY – NATIONAL FLORAL DESIGN DAY – NATIONAL RARE DISEASE DAY USA – NATIONAL SPAY DAY USA

FAT TUESDAY...Are you one of the fortunate ones spending your time in New Orleans and planning on feasting and fasting? Lent is approaching...do you participate in it?
CHOCOLATE...I've just received  good news concerning my A1C but I don't want to indulge in eating chocolate to make it increase.  
PUBLIC SLEEPING... Do you plan to spend your time in bed all day?  I've been up and out most of the morning so I know this will not pertain to me.  Also, I've never been able to sleep in public places. TOOTH FAIRY...I'm too old for the tooth fairy so I can't do anything in this area but encourage my grandchild to brush and floss.
RARE DISEASE...Having an allergy problem is not considered a rare disease but my primary care physician had to call in a different prescription for me,today .  I'm hoping this new one will give me better results.
SPAY...We don't have any pets to have neutered...
so what shall we celebrate today?

National Floral Design Day:  This is the day we celebrate that art form.  It may be in a bouquet, painting, in a textile, a garden or floral arrangement.  Floral design is a multi-billion dollar industry that brightens our lives on a daily basis.
Here is my share for this category:
I'm submitting this one to WordArtWednesday, Scrapbook.com and Cardmaking USA

another view of the same card

Items used other than cardstock and Prima flowers to make this card:
Sizzix "mixed media #3"; Cricut "Ornamental Iron 2" cartridge. Cricut Explore and Sizzix Big Shot

I gave you a warning on yesterday that you would be taking another walk in the garden with me.
Stick around again on tomorrow, the journey will continue.
Thanks for viewing this floral arrangement...another day of flowers.
Please Come Again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, February 27, 2017

" A Walk Through My Flower Garden"


Monday, February 27, 2017

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers...
What a great weekend we just experienced!  Hail falling in quarter-sized balls for about fifteen minutes on Saturday  (no damage).  Wind was 35-45 miles per hour during the same time the hail was falling (no damage).  Temperatures falling from 78 to 48 (I told you it was still winter).  The mix-up at the Oscars ( La-La Land couldn't win them all).
And now...one more day before the end of February and getting ready for the time change on March 12th.   My daughter reminded me of this one.  I was under the impression that the time would change at the end of March instead of the second Sunday in March.  I guess I'll prepare for that one hour spring forward.

Today's card:
I had this color combination playing in my thoughts (grey and white) and I decided to use cardstock to make it come to life.   Also, while looking through my box of flowers, I put together a floral combination to go with the colors.  It will be a card for my "encouragement box" when the time comes to give it away.


This will be used as an entry for WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com    Challenge Weeks #270-271-Anything Goes.


Supplies used: Spellbinders "Romantic Rectangle" die; Our Daily Bread Design Corner die; Spellbinders "Tranquil Moments" die; Sizzix "garden greens" die     

 
I also used the Sizzix Big Shot to cut out my die cuts. 

Thanks for viewing today.  Please come again....I just may be walking through my flower garden (paper) again tomorrow.  Stay tuned to see if I can.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois







Friday, February 24, 2017

"Altenew Peony Scrolls Stamp Set:"

Friday, February 24, 2017

Hello friends, visitors, followers and viewers.
It is here one more time,...FRIDAY!  I'm so looking forward to just relaxing this weekend.  I have nothing important on my agenda.  What about you?

The trees are blooming...the grass is growing...the daffodils have popped out of the soil and are blooming...a little pollen is falling....and guess what is happening to my body?  It is reacting to this "early spring" with my allergies knocking me off my feet, literally.  The headache and the dizziness came on so strong on yesterday that it actually sent me to my bed.  Everything was swirling and my balance was so off that I couldn't stand on my own.  I am so not ready for this.  At the time of this posting...I'm better... my allergy medicine is working.  I'm so thankful.

I've used a stamp from the ALTENEW "peony scrolls stamp set" and a sentiment from Jillibean Soup "handwritten sentiments stamp set to create my card for today:
entry for wordartwednesday.blogspot.com



Other than the two stamps set mentioned above, I've used Neenah white cardstock for the card base and the topper.  A piece of black and white checkered paper from Recollections "Christmas Noel" paper pad and a few sequins from Recollections.

After coloring the flower, I put Glossy Accents on top of it.

Friends Make The World A Better Place

 A friend is someone we turn to,
When our spirits need a lift,
A friend is someone we treasure,
For true friendship is a gift.
.
A friend is someone we laugh with,
Over little personal things,
A friend is someone we’re serious with,
In facing whatever life brings.
.
A friend is someone who fills our lives,
With beauty and joy and grace.
And makes the world that we live in
A better and happier place!

Thanks for viewing.  Please come again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois



Thursday, February 23, 2017

"Illustrated FAITH...Psalm 46:10"

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
To my sister who is reading this post, Happy, Happy, Birthday to you!  Enjoy your day sweetheart!

To all of those who have attended your Bible Study classes for this week, I hope you have learned much and will share with those who could not make it.
For me, I enjoy learning biblical history and the meaning behind some of the scripture I read in the Bible.
You have read or I want you to read Psalm 46:10.
There are so many of us today who are in fear of what is going on in the world.  We are questioning whether God knows what is happening.  Yes, God does know.  No evil will continue to be done without HIS intervention.  Even if it appears that everything is in chaos...have faith and let God be God.   Let all believers triumph in this, that the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob, has been, is, and will be with us; and will be our Refuge. Mark this, take the comfort, and say, If God be for us, who can be against us? With this, through life and in death, let us answer every fear.
entry of WordArtWednesday
Challenge Weeks #270-271 - Anything Goes
How this specific card was made:
I was playing around with some Ranger distress inks for another project.   After I had applied some onto a piece of watercolor paper, I didn't really like what I had done.  I started tearing it and immediately stopped.  I stopped because I remembered a process that I had seen on a Youtube channel (I cannot remember who did it).  The person took a stencil and used black ink over a piece of cardstock to transfer the image.  At this point, I had nothing to lose but a piece of colored paper.  So, I pulled out the first stencil from my "stencil" folder which happened to be the trees.  I had some black ink left on a dauber and I started rubbing the leftover onto  the stencil which I had placed over the distressing.  
WOW! was all I could say after I removed the stencil. This almost throw away had become a "keeper".   I  used  the American Craft "Bible Journaling stamps that were still on my table and decided upon the "be still"one.  I knew from reading scripture it was biblical and could be found in the book of Psalm.  I had some scriptural  3D stickers ( from Paper House) so I used the "cross and the faith" from that set.



I'm thankful to be able to express my LOVE to God, HIS Son and HIS Spirit...
Thanks for viewing...Have a great day.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

"You're Looking A Little Rugged Around The Ends"

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Hello To All!
Happy "hump" day to you!    It may not feel like the middle of the week for those whose first day back to work was on Tuesday.  However, we may have started the work week on yesterday, today still tells us that we don't have as many days to work before we relax again.

 Are you a little wet with rain?  We are but it is okay.  It will not be a heavy downpour...just enough to settle some of the dust from yesterday.

How many of you like the "rugged look"?...or...What's in your eye candy?
I'm an "old country girl".  The rugged look has always been my favorite.  I love for my DH to be rugged...(a rugged man is a man who is good with his hands, he can build, fix or mend just about anything, he’s usually covered in sweat or dirt and he’s usually doing something outside).  If he goes a couple of days without shaving, that five-o'clock shadow is overgrown...but I like to look at it ...not really satisfied with it rubbing against my skin.  Where his wardrobe is concerned, versatility reigns supreme. There are no frills or embellishments, no materials that can’t take a beating, nothing so tight it’s restrictive and nothing so baggy it’s cumbersome.

I tried the rugged look today with my card:
I started with a piece of torn cardstock where I exposed some of the ridges.  I lightly colored the cardboard with Ranger distress inks. 
Using the Sizzix wildflowers die and Ranger watercolor paper, I cut out three of the flowers to use for this project.
I used the QuicKutz antique doily die to cut out a doily.  This was cut in half .
I glued the flowers and the doily to the cardboard and then cut out a band in craft cardstock and layered a piece of black polka dot cardstock over it.  This was placed over the flowers and the doily.
The cardboard base was layered on top of a piece of black Recollections cardstock and those layers were adhered to a piece of Canvas Corp "black French script printed burlap" before ending up on the kraft cardstock card base.
Using Tim Holtz's Stampers Anonymous stamps/stencil, I stamped the word "Love" to a piece of cardstock and then used one of Nellie's multi frame's to cut it out.  Three sequin butterflies were added to this project.


items used in this project

If you don't like the rugged look on your man, then, try it on a card.
Thanks for viewing.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Tuesday, February 21, 2017

"Using My Stash"

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Hello friends, followers, viewers and visitors.  
Happy Tuesday and welcome back to work for some of you.  Great weather outside but I'm a little hesitant to start playing in the flower beds .  One of the weather reporters stated that it looks and feels like spring with the trees budding but he thinks winter temperatures are coming back. I must say that I agree.  We haven't experience the changing temperatures of March, yet.

I'm crafting with my stash today.  No new cardstock...no new dies...no new embellishments and no new stamping.  Everything I'm using has been  in my supplies for a long time.

Take a look at the cards I made:
entry for WordArtWednesday
Challenge Weeks #270-271 - Anything Goes
It was good that I still had some of the paper left from a paper pad I had used in the past.  This helped me to recognize where the paper came from (Craft Smith "burgundy rose).  I simply used two pieces from my stash to cut four squares and layered them together, alternating the paper. 
The flower came from a pack that I bought for Mother's Day cards in 2016 from Michaels.  I still had some left.  I've mention several times that I keep extra die cuts of items in a file.  The leaves comes from a Spellbinder die  (Spellbinders FOLIAGE Shapeabilities Series Cutting Dies).  Last week when I was making tags, I had made the one you see on this card.


entry for MojoMonday
Mojo Monday 485
Since I had some of this paper ( Craft Smith " burgundy rose") from my stash still left, I made another card after viewing MojoMonday.blogspot.com.  I mixed it with a piece from DCWV "The Chateau Lavender stack.  I've had some stickers (3D Paper House ) my granddaughter gave me for 2015 Christmas that I had never used.  I decided to place them on the card sketch. I cannot remember where the polka dot piece of cardstock came from but I had enough to cut a strip for this card.  


Once again, thank you so much for your time and for viewing this blog today.  Come back to see what I'll post tomorrow.  As of this printing...I don't even have a clue.  Something will happen for our inspiration.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, February 20, 2017

"Do You Have The BEST Sibling?

Monday, February 20, 2017

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
It's Presidents' Day...some of you are still on a long weekend and still celebrating the time off.   Many sales are going on in different stores...what's in your bag?   Is it time for something new?  I ventured out this weekend and did my usual...shifting items from one side of the hanger  to the other and walking out of the store with zilch.  I did get a few items in the grocery store so I guess I can say all was not lost.

Do you have a sibling or siblings?  Do you feel they are the best?  If you could trade them in for someone different...would you do it?
Our siblings might have been considered our worst enemies when we were growing up.  The fights, the borrowing clothes, the jealous behavior, the breaking of toys,  and or the tattling were some of the things we had to endure while growing up.   Fast forward, ten or fifteen years and you're all grown up with families of your own.  You've started to feel "real love" for them after all the fighting, complaining and competing. As we get older, we become more independent and separate from our siblings, which actually contributes to increased intimacy and closer bonds.
When you do consider your sibling or siblings, they are there to help you in many areas of your life.  Think about how many times you have said, "if it wasn't for my brother who told me..." or "if my sister hadn't done it...".  Whether we want to admit it or not,  our sibling/siblings play major roles in our emotional and psychological health.  They help us have better relationships with others.   They also make us smarter and influence our ambition.

I'm from a large family.  There are nine out of ten of us still living.  Eight girls and one boy.  My oldest sister is ten years older than me and we will be celebrating her birthday this week.  The girls of the family always say this quote, "My Sister has the best Sister".  That's the way we are!

I have her card ready to go postal and I'm sharing it with you today:
I'm going to enter this at WordArtWednesday
Challenge Weeks #270-271 - Anything Goes

2nd photo of card

Supplies used:
Tim Holtz runway dolls
Sizzix heart dies
Amy Design bench die
Prima "Tales of You & Me paper pad
Ranger "Christmas red" stickles
Sizzix big shot machine
 
Thanks for coming over to view today.  I hope you have a great day with lots of fun and a slice of cherry pie.
Come again!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois



Friday, February 17, 2017

"TAG-ALONG With Me...day #5 finale"

Friday, February 17, 2017

Hello to all my friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
It is finally here!!!...FRIDAY.
Are you looking forward to a great, fantastic weekend?
Our weather will be just a little warmer this weekend than what we have had during the week.  I can still hear the message of the older generation saying..."it may feel like spring or summer, but it is still winter...pneumonia and flu time.
It is also the finale for this "tag-along" week with me.  I've had some fun trying to come up with some ideas for inspiration and viewing.  I've read your comments and saw your likes and resharing...thank you so much.

Today,  we will follow along with the National Calendar and observe

NATIONAL RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY

It is a favorite day for many, as people everywhere are enjoying doing these acts of kindness.  Not only is it positive for the receiver, but for the giver, too! 
   
http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/2017/02/16/february-17-2017-national-random-acts-of-kindness-day-national-cabbage-day-national-caregivers-day/


“Kind words and actions can seem so small, but their effects are truly endless.” (Author Unknown)

Here is the tag/card I made. 
 When you read the sentiment on this card, think about how it correspond with this day of observance.  Sometimes we look at  people  and assume something bad about them (which is NOT true at all) and will not show them kindness in any form. 

entry for word art wednesday
Challenge Weeks #270-271 - Anything Goes

I used Julie Nutting's "Rita" doll stamp.  It comes close to being a little over 7" tall, therefore I had to custom make this tag out of cardstock.  The background was made with distress inks and stencils.  I took a white Martha Stewart doily and distressed it to match my background.  I added a Michaels butterfly and white NUVO crystal drops.  A piece of ribbon was added to the top of the tag before I added a layer of dark orange Recollections cardstock.  The last stage was adding the layered tag to some craft cardstock. The full card is  8.5  x 5.5.



Thanks so much for viewing with me today.  Do something nice for someone today (someone who will not expect it of you).  Stay warm and have fun this weekend.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Thursday, February 16, 2017

"TAG-ALONG With Me...day #4"

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
Have you had your "almonds" today?  According to a show that I was watching on TV earlier this morning, it was announced that today was National Almond Day.  My favorite snack that I can have all to myself...DH and children don't care to eat them.  I would rather buy a bag of almonds than a bag of peanuts...almonds offer a delicious flavor along with many health benefits. Almonds are one of the most heart-healthy foods on the market, packed with vitamin E, magnesium and fiber...and I need all of this (lol).

Okay, let's get to the tag for today.  I'm going to admit something that you can't share with anyone else.  Are you ready?   I have had a great time working on tags all this week.  I've even finished the one that I will share with you for tomorrow.   I think I'll do more  and keep them in a file for future use (only when I have the time).

Here is my day #4 tag:
                            

Supplies used;
Neenah white cardstock
Recollections black cardstock
Bazzill red cardstock
Carta Bella "Christmas Plaid" cardstock
water color inks



Ranger craft tags
Sizzix Big Shot machine

Spellbinders in'spire umbrella trio die
Create and Craft ribbon


Dylusions mini Couture Collection stamp
Gloss Ebony Black NUVO crystal drops
Sentiment that I saw on Pintrest, typed out on my computer and printed out.

Thanks for hanging out with me for the last three days.   I have only one more day this week to show you a tag I made.  Come back because I don't want you to miss it.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

"TAG-ALONG With Me...day #3"

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Hello visitors, friends, viewers and followers.
Happy Wednesday (hump day) to you. Your weekend is only two days away...we can make it...I know we can.
 It is a rainy, damp, dreary day in my area.  It's nice and warm inside ...where I'll spend most of my day.  What shall I do?...I'm going to get my fingers "nasty" with inking and stamping.
My goal for this week (something I don't normally do) is to make tags.  I thought I would just do the tags separately but it looks like I love placing them on a card base.
I'm sharing a whimsical one today.
It started out with me looking through some "saved" die cuts that I had in an envelope. I pulled some items together that I thought would make this whimsical card.  The heaviest work was done with the tag.  I used some distress inks (scattered straw...evergreen bough...wild honey...and rusty hinge) before embossing it.  The items used on the tag were already die cut so I didn't need to do that.  After placing the items on the tag, I used some black and yellow Recollections cardstock to make the card base.
So for today's tag...I'm saying to you,  HELLO  SWEET  FRIEND, in such a whimsical way:
entry for Word Art Wednesday
Challenge Weeks #270-271 - Anything Goes

close-up of the two friends


items used:
Spellbinders D-Lites "Fantastic Flourish One" die
Sizzix "Bird Talk" die
Sizzix Thinlits "Garden Greens" die
Sizzix "Caged Bird" die
Sizzix "Big Shot Machine"



items used:
Ranger craft tag
Spellbinders M-Bossabilities brick wall
Sizzix Texture Fades Embossing Folder "sheet music"


I hope you are enjoying the view of the tags I have been making.  Stay tuned for the next one.

Thanks for the lovely comments you have been making.  I'm impressed with your love.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Tuesday, February 14, 2017

"TAG-ALONG"...day #2

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Good Day to my friends, viewers, followers and visitors.
Happy Valentine's Day to you.
How many of you have received those flowers...that box of candy..."the ring"...the teddy bear...the  lingerie (for his or her eyes only)...the perfume?
How many of you received "the message" from someone who no longer wants to be your Valentine.
Some guys who don't want a long term relationship and responsibility of showing love will give you the message at Christmas or they will wait until Valentine's Day.
Even if you did receive flowers, candy, ring, bear, lingerie or perfume...was it expensive or something picked up at the last minute?  Maybe, the day hit them in their face as if they didn't know it was coming....remember, they did the same thing at Christmas...running to the store at the ninth hour to get you that gift (without any thought as to what you really wanted).
You just have to LOVE them don't you...or do you?

Well here is day #2 of "tag-along".  Just BE YOU!   Be a GOOD you, today and every day.

the tag adhered to a card base

close-up of the tag portion of the card

dies used;
Spellbinders "romantic vines": Cottagecutz "garden delight hummingbird"; Tonic "branwen briar"

Prima 6 x 6 "Tales of You an Me" paper pad
Jolee's boutique "together blossoms"
Ranger craft tags
Sizzix Big Shot
Thanks for viewing and sending those lovely comments my way.   
I hope you enjoy tag #2.  Come back tomorrow for tag #3.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, February 13, 2017

"TAG-ALONG With Me"...day #1

Monday, February 13, 2017

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.  "Back to the grind" someone said of this Monday morning.  If we don't do some type of "work", then, what will we be doing on a Monday morning?  Sleeping late?  Exercising?  Reading?  Watching TV?

Here is something you can do today and if everything goes well, you can do it all week long.  Okay!
Come "tag- along" with me.  I'll lead and you can follow and then tweet, pin, or reshare.
I made a tag and then added it to some cardstock to make it a card.  I love how it turned out, but I don't think I'm going for the "full throttle" during the rest of this week.  If I can get the tag done then I'll stop at just that:
On this tag, I've used  distress inking/blending, embossing and die cutting before adding it to layers of cardstock and design paper.






Here is a picture of all the supplies I used to make the tag/card.

It's a beautiful, windy day outside which means... I'll be crafting inside as soon as I finish with some other tasks.
Thanks for your visit and I hope you enjoyed the view from where you are.
Come back tomorrow to see the next tag that I'll be doing.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Friday, February 10, 2017

"Illustrating Faith...Galatians 5:22"

Friday, February 10, 2017

Hello everyone on this weekend eve.   We made it...yes, we did.  You thought you wouldn't with some of the things that you had to endure during the week...but, look at you now.  You are all smiles with a little happy dance in your step.

How many of you have the "bug" (flu) that is going around?  My DH started with something ( he called it a weird headache) on Tuesday.  Then, the coughing and the sneezing and the staying in bed...  I've kept my house sprayed with Lysol and have avoided up close and personal encounter with him to avoid feeling the way he is feeling.  I don't think it helped.  I'm working on not trying to get whatever it is that is going around.  At this moment, I'm having a "weird headache" and praying that it is just that, a headache in which a Tylenol will alleviate the feeling so I can have a great weekend.

Anyway, I was able to complete this card in all its simplicity. It will be added to my bible journal.
 

 

 

  •  A card base of bronze cardstock using a die cut ( Spellbinders arched elegance) on the top edge. 
  •  A piece of heavy plastic added to adhere the second die cut of arched elegance on the bottom. 
  •  A piece of designer paper from "Botanique" paper pad with a layer of blue Recollections cardstock
  • A "K & Company" bible quote sticker .  
Stay warm and healthy.  
Thanks for viewing.    

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois
 


Thursday, February 9, 2017

"I Just Want To See You Smile"

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Good Thursday morning to all my friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
Thank you so much for your comments on the cards I have been making.  Thank you for just stopping to say, "I hope you're doing okay".  Thank you for sharing something you've seen on my blog with others who may not be a follower or a viewer. Thank you, Thank you!

"Baby, it's cold outside".  The wind is blowing...no snow as of yet. I'm not waiting for it either.  Once is enough for me and we've had an enormous amount to satisfy my love for it back in January.  We also had a few flakes and sleet this past Sunday morning.  Warm thoughts and warm temperatures ...just what a cold nature girl requires at the moment.

Today, I just want to have some fun and to put a smile on your face. 
I attempted to put some elements on some paper and dress them up on a card base. I was trying out a stamp from Jane Davenport on a piece of cardstock and decided to add other things around it.  Take a look and enjoy...SMILE if you want to:

Items used to make the card
Jane Davenport Acrylic stamps
Inkadinkado "beauty stems"
Darice "bee buzzing" embossing folder
Tim Holtz stampers anonymous "bubble" stencil
I also used some distress inks: scattered straw, abandoned coral and twisted citron and black ink for the stenciling
Bling stickers were added to the end of each dragonfly
Liquid Pearls was added to the lips


I love to see you smile when you're having a good day.  I'm assuming your day is as good as it can get.  It can't get any better than what it is at the moment.  Enjoy it!!!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois