What to Do with Those Catalogs?

If you are like me you get catalogs in the mail, lots and lots of catalogs, whether you want them or not. Well, some of them I just have to look at, like the Penney's Home Sales. I have sufficient bedding, but I love to look at the beautiful bedding ensembles. One day it hit me --- these are terrific color schemes! Sometimes I just can't come up with something new or different for my cards. Well, ta-da! Check this one out!

I saw this and thought: t-shirt stripes, outdoorsy, masculine. So, Oakley, how about a new outfit? (I love the Whiff of Joy kids!)
Here he is perched on his favorite tree stump under a tree, wishing a happy birthday to a special boy. Colored with Copics YG25, E77, E33, and BG10.

Such a cute little guy!

The sentiment is a clear stamp from my stash and the top is the MS Picket Fence punch to match the front of the card.

So, what do you do with your catalogs? This might not be a break-through idea but it sure triggers the imagination! Try it out if you haven't already!

I've been tagged for a photo ....

There is a very fun meme going around and my friend Marion tagged me to play. The rules are simple: go into your pictures and open the fourth file then the fourth photo of that file and post it! Easy-peasy! So here is my photo:

This is actually a lantern from a railroad caboose.

I'm very glad that Marion tagged me because she prompted me to do another post that I've been wanting to do for awhile. Along with making cards I am working on building a business as a photographer. I also love Branson, my new home since October 2007. Putting both of those together resulted in another blog, The Family Branson, which hasn't gotten a lot of my attention lately. Playing this meme led to to the photo of the lantern so it seemed the perfect time to get the post written about the cafe that displays this lantern, and others like it. Hop on over to see more of Billy Gail's Cafe, and Branson!

Oh, yea, the other rule is to tag four others to play. I recently sent out a bunch of awards (which tagged a bunch of terrific crafters) so I invite anyone who wishes to play to pull the fourth picture of the fourth file in your pictures folder and share it with us. Ya' never know what you are going to get!

Prayers for Fargo-Moorehead Flood Victims

My brother's family lives in the flood-ravaged area of Fargo, ND-Moorehead, MN. Their home is safe but they have had to empty my brother's office and all have been working the sandbag lines. They are tired and hoping for better outcomes than predicted. Please keep these cities and the surrounding areas in your prayers and good thoughts.

Whiff of Joy #23 --- Donalda's Sketch

Donalda is a very talented designer and for Whiff of Joy Challenge this week she has given us a lovely sketch to build on. I already had some images colored so it didn't take any time for me to put this card together (and I didn't want to be under the wire like last week!)

I used Willow with flowers in an Easter theme. Willow is colored with Copics and framed in ovals cut with Nesties on my Cuttlebug. The DP is a very pretty Easter egg scrapbook paper I found at Michaels (forgot to get the brand name). The eggs are so pretty that it was a shame to cover them up so I cut some out, mounted them on white CS, added some embellies and 3D mounted them with foam tape. The lavendar pieces are scraps from other Spring cards and the ribbon is a swatch from a roll I found in the $1 bin at Michaels. I added a sweet heart charm with a cross embedded with tiny rhinestones. Oh, and check out the centers of the flowers --- who can resist little yellow bunny brads? All this lays on a bed of lattice patterned vellum which covers lavender textured CS.

Hmmm. The more I look at it, the more I like it. What do you think? Thank you, Donalda, for a very nice sketch!

My First Sarah Kay Images!

OK, I couldn't resist these adorable Sarah Kay images any longer!! And I am so happy I added these to my family of cute kids.

I chose the Country Girl because she reminded me of being a little girl from Iowa with opportunities to spend summers in the country. With spring upon us I just had to go bright with the colors, so I used my Copics lavishly, then added the nearly neon plastic flowers I found at Paper Wishes. After mounting those on the sparkly DCWV Blossoms and Butterflies DP I added this delightfully crazy colorful ribbon. The little embroidered chick adds a touch of Easter to the card. I had so much fun coloring this image and composing the card.

Meet Margaux! This image is very dear to me because I spent many hours standing at an easel back when I was doing oil paintings. Oh, how I miss those days! Taking colors from the DCWV Blossoms and Butterflies DP I colored Margaux with my Copics then spread some blue Shimmerz on her hat and jeans for a touch of glitz. The felt butterflies came from Oriental Trading. The inside verse is from Ralph Waldo Emerson and seemed to be perfect for this card to "My friend". I love these sweet girls and have more colored and ready to grace more cards!

I'm so glad you stopped by! Your comments and input are so important to me and I like visiting your blogs, too. So much talent out there!

Whiff of Joy Challenge #22 --- Green

This week's Whiff of Joy challenge was green, just green. I am slipping in right under the wire with my card, but couldn't resist working a card in just one color. Well, I did have to add some yellow, just a little!

Willow is colored with Copics on GP CS. The image was stamped with black Brillance heat set.

The white CS panel is embossed with my buddy the Cuttlebug which also made the die cut ovals with Nestabilities.

The butterflies and daisies are from Oriental Trading Company.

The shimmery ribbon came from Hobby Lobby.

Thanks for taking a look at my submission for the WOJ Challenge #22. Hopefully I will be quicker with Challenge #23!

Lemonade, Hugs, and Lady Bugs!

My DH was home this weekend for the first time in 18 days --- the downside of the life of a long-haul trucker. We spent time shopping and relaxing and working around the house. So I didn't get cards made, but I did some coloring. I can do that without being tucked away in my studio. He is on the road again so I caught up on reading blogs and I found a surprise or two!!

First, I remembered that my dear friend Carolyn had treated me to not one, but two awards!! She is such a sweetheart in immensely talented! (I'm sorry I didn't get these out sooner, hon!)

I am passing this huggable little guy to Lauri, Joan, Nancy, Marion, and Julie H. "in appreciation of your lovely and witty comments and for always knowing the right thing to say at the right time".

These ladies are talented as well as caring, up beat, and supportive. Please take a look at their wonderful blogs.

Who doesn't love lemonade, especially with warm weather coming? Make mine pink, please, with a touch of strawberry. This cheerful lemonade stand is rolling on to Pattie, Nancy, Lauri, Marion, and Julie, 5 people who have shown a great attitude or gratitude this week and every week. I appreciate them!

Then this weekend Leigh blessed me with this adorable Lady Bug --- isn't she pretty?! I am passing this on to 10 papercrafters who are constant sources of inspiration to me: Carolyn, Kym, Joan, Amy, Mina, Lynette, Shannon, Chrissie, Barbara, and Helen. All very creative ladies.


This community of artist-bloggers is very amazing! I appreciate all the contacts I make, every chance to learn and improve my craft, and the friendships. So, if you visit my blog and leave comments, please feel free to take any or all of these awards as your own, too. Hugs from me to you!

Nancy, Carolyn, Oma, Leigh, and Shannon: It's time to watch your mailbox!

On February 25 I ran this post: Would You Like To Win An Original "Made For Keeps"? Five wonderful ladies made comments and, as promised, I made something special for each of them. Those special somethings were mailed today. Ladies, please remember to post a photo of what you get.

I haven't posted any of the items here yet, but I just couldn't resist showing sneak peeks! So, who is getting what? Nancy, Carolyn, Oma, Leigh, Shannon?

Thank you for playing, ladies!

New WINNER of My Blog Candy

I have put Random.org to work one more time because, unfortunately, I did not get an address from the first winner. So, I hope everyone is still checking in, because the NEW WINNER is:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

72
Timestamp: 2009-03-19 14:07:07 UTC

Amy at Fits-and-Starts

Congratulations, Amy! Please email me your snail-mail address and I will sent the poppies right off to you!

For a Little Girl's Birthday and for a Friend

Today was a day for laundry and working on house cleaning, so I didn't get any cards made. But I did make several yesterday. I'm showing a couple of those tonight. The others I made yesterday complete the group of cards for the five lovely ladies that won the chance for an original Made For Keeps card and those will be sent out soon. They will be showing them on their blogs (I hope!).

Our Grand-niece will be 5 years this weekend. When my husband showed her a photo of one of my cards she said, "I want one of those!" She liked Willow of Whiff of Joy and all the flowers. So the card below is pink with lots of flowers and with Willow painted with Copics. I think she'll like it (especially with a $5 bill inside --- wink)!

Recently I bought a bunch of new Copic Sketches, especially in pastel colors, and they arrived just in time for the new WOJ Spring images. I am so crazy about the Copics!! I purposely kept the coloring light on this image (those who know me know I love rich colors and deep shading for a near-3-D effect) and I am OK with it. It is such a sweet image, in any case, and the card will be sent to a dear friend.

The last load of laundry is about done (towels) so it is time for a relaxing shower and wrapping up in a fresh towel while it is still warm ..... mmmm. I think a cup of peach herbal tea will make a nice nightcap, too!

Nite-nite! Sleep tight!

Call Out for Blog Candy Winner.......

Just a reminder........ The winner of my blog candy needs to email me her address so I can send the goodies! If I don't hear from kotenok77 by 12:00 midnight (GMT -6) Wednesday, March 18, I will draw another number.

Thanks again to everyone who left comments last week!

Birthday Boy!

Last night I promised you a peek at the third card I made yesterday. No sketch or challenge here, just my own layout. It seems I don't make many cards for boys and I really should. Now with this adorable image of Oakley from Whiff of Joy I can think of dozens of ways to use it! Oakley is colored with Copics, the birthday background is Cuttlebug embossing folder, the DP is K-ology, and the buttons from my stash. I really like these colors together for a little boy. How about you?

I made three cards today and you will see one of them here, maybe tomorrow. But the other two will hopefully appear later on either Carolyn's, Leigh's, Oma's, Shannon's, or Nancy's blogs. These are the five lovely ladies who will be getting a Made For Keeps original card (see this post).

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget the "wearin' o' the green" tomorrow!

Two Cards, Two Challenges!

The card-making angel swooped in today and charged up my mojo! I made three cards this afternoon, two of them stretching my attention to detail and color. What fun I had!! So here are two of the cards, one for the WOJ Weekly Challenge and the other for Cute Card Thursday.

Whiff of Joy Challenge #21

sketch by Heather

(Wonderful sketch, Heather!)

Sweet Willow is colored with Copics and sits atop a triple-stack of beautiful DP called Chloe's Closet by Making Memories. Embellies are coordinates to this cheerful set. Other papers are Bazzill and I used my beloved Nesties to cut the frames for Willow.

Cute Card Thursday

Sketch by Katharina

(Very fun Sketch, Katharina!)

The new Spring WOJ images are so amazing and here is another beautiful Willow, colored with Copics, and perched atop coordinating flowers. The DP is from Me and My Big Ideas. Other papers are Bazzill and Starburst and the circles are cut with my Nesties.

The third card I made today? Well, it was my own sketch and ........... you'll have to wait till tomorrow to see it! ;-)

This is just the beginning of a great week! Share it with those you love!

And the WINNER is........

This has been such an incredible week! So many wonderful crafters from all over the world and so many beautiful favorite flowers! Before I announce the winner of my very first blog candy, I put together a mosaic of the favorite flowers; there were lots of roses, irises, tulips, orchids, and many others. I added Bird of Paradise and Bleeding Hearts, favorites of my grandmothers. Can you pick your favorite from the mosaic?

Drum roll please......................

From Random.org:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

39
Timestamp: 2009-03-15 15:23:57 UTC

kotenok77 !!!!

This was her comment:

Hi! I am from Russia! Very beautiful and bright sweetie! Just super! My favorite flower - this is a rose. I really love her and especially when the bud yet to be disclosed, and the last leaves still green. Thank you for the opportunity vygrat a bright Candy. I do not long uleklas card and only opens the beautiful world for himself.

Congratulations!!! Please send me your mailing address via email by Wednesday (March 18) so I can send you these pretty poppies. You'll find my email in my sidebar.

Many thanks to everyone who visited and entered the drawing and added to my followers. I have so many new blogs to follow, too.

Y'all come back now!!

Blog Candy for 5,000 Hits!!

This post will remain at the top of my blog until it closes at midnight (GMT -6.00) on March 14, 2009. Therefore, please scroll down for newer posts.

I am but a small blog in this wonderful world of art bloggers, but today I am celebrating 5,000 hits on Made For Keeps!

I started this blog eight months ago. In that time I have met so many wonderful artists, found stamps and techniques that are better than I have ever seen before, and learned so many things that have enhanced my art. So, I want to thank everyone who has ever visited, left comments, and led me to many brilliant bloggers!

I chose a few pieces from this bright new set called "Pretty Poppies" by Autumn Leaves that I found at Michaels. Aren't the colors fantastic? Since we are eagerly awaiting spring here, this was such a cheerful selection. Here are some closer looks:



This is my first ever blog candy and, because my inspirations come from so many countries, anyone from anywhere is invited to enter the drawing. The drawing will close at midnight (GMT -6.00) and I just ask that you do these three things:

1. Please leave a comment on this post.
2. In your comment tell me your favorite flower.
3. Add a link to this post on your blog to tell others about my blog candy.

Thank you, everyone, for visiting my blog and for making this a remarkable experience!

Lovin' Fashion!

More fashions? Yep! These fabulous fashion stamps from Rubbernecker are called "Sophisticated Ladies" and I love, love, love them! So here are a couple more cards with them, and there will be more in the future!! What do I do with all these? Well, I have given away a couple of them and the others will go in my shop where I hope customers will love them as much as I do.

The DP for this card is the fabulous new "Que Sera" by K & Co. The image is colored with water color pencils.

The card doesn't carry much in the way of embellishments, but I used Judi Kins Diamond Glaze on the butterfly, cut around the right wing and tucked the image plate under that wing.

I love this outfit! It billows with attitude! (Hee hee) So I water colored it to match one of my other favorite K & Company DP sets, cut some scrolls with Cuttlebug, rectangles with Nesties, and some square brads for bling. Sophistication and Sass!!

Recently the daily mail has brought me my first Anya stamps, my first Sarah Kay stamps, my first Papertrey Ink paper and stamps, my first Our Daily Bread Designs stamps, and, of course, the Whiff of Joy Spring kit. My mail carrier is a crafting buddy of mine and I know she is dying to see what I've been getting! I am having a blast!! There should be quite a variety of cards coming soon.

I am also still rebuilding my studio --- Whew! --- and will show my progress in there. I didn't know how much stuff I have!

The blog candy give-away is so much fun and I am meeting so many new crafters! If I could afford it I would do this more often!! Let's see, I do have a blogoversary coming, and a birthday, then maybe 10,000 hits..... hmmm. Stay tuned, everyone.

Thanks for stopping by!