Design D.I.V.A.S. Oldies But Goodies Hop and DP2 Challenge

Lately I've been really busy with photo shoots so cardmaking has taken a back seat.  However, I needed a card for a friend who turned 90 years young last week, and it just happened to fit in with the D.I.V.A.S. Oldies But Goodies blog hop and the challenge over at Mo Manning's DP2 Challenge.

So, first to the OBD Blog Hop.

On the third Wednesday of each month the Facebook chapter of the Design D.I.V.A.S. has our Oldies But Goodies (OBD) blog hop.  This is when we use neglected and forgotten items from our stashes.  The Design D.I.V.A.S. is a private Facebook group which is a branch of the Original Design D.I.V.A.S. on the Splitcoaststampers website.  The acronym for the D.I.V.A.S. is Divine Inspirational Virtuous Artistic (or anointed) Sistahs.  This is a very talented and supportive group, which I'm blessed to be a part of.  Thank you for stopping by and we hope you enjoy the hop. If you came here from the lovely Vicki's blog you are on the right track.  To start at the beginning hop on over to Maria's awesome blog.  

For my card I used a Mo Manning digi "The Engineer" which I haven't used for over a year.  The dp is from a neglected stack and the brads are the last of a package I've had since Washington crossed the Potomac!  

I colored this fun image with Copics.  As I mentioned, the card is for a 90-year old friend, so the sentiment on the inside read "Growing older is mandatory.  Growing up is optional."  Talk about and oldie but goodie! Happy Birthday, Harold!

Now, I am also entering this in the DP2 challenge #134 "Tickle My Funny Bone".  The only requirement is to use one of Mo's images, and she has plenty that will make you chuckle!  Hop on over to see the fun the DT had with this challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure to move on to Mary's blog for her inspiring project.  We appreciate the time you spend on our Design D.I.V.A.S. blog hop. 

Mo's DP2 Challenge #133 --- Anything Goes

Mo's challenge this week is "Anything Goes", with a Mo image of course.  That works perfectly for me since I have this wedding card that I made in March for a very special young couple, but hadn't posted it yet.  

The sketch is my own design, but is a close match for the optional sketch over at the challenge blog.  Check it out here.  All is very simple using red cardstock, white satin gloss report cover stock, and silk flowers from the bridal department at Hobby Lobby.  I used the Nesties die to create a frame for the image, rather than a mounting shape. 

This image is colored with Copics.  What really made this fun was that when I got to the reception the topper on the cake was very similar to this image!  Both reflect the joy of Lindsey and Josh on their special day. 

I also did the photography for their wedding.  This is one of the shots.  Poor Josh; he is so light sensitive and the photos were done at noon on a very sunny day.  

Thanks for stopping by today.  I'm hoping that my neck pain will subside soon and that I can get off the meds which make me a bit out of sorts.  (Neck pain from accident that I wrote about here.)  I have so many new images I want to color up and make cards! 

You Are My Sunshine

The month of April certainly slipped by in a hurry!  It was a good month for the most part, though.

  We had very welcome company during the first two weeks of the month.  There is always so much to do here in Branson, even if it's just to drive around taking in the scenery.  Our friends from Livermore, California had never been here and were so taken with the beautiful sights.

My mother, a breast cancer survivor, will soon be 80 years old.  Her breast implants succumbed to the effects of gravity so she had out-patient surgery a couple of weeks ago to replace them.  We keep teasing her about having a "boob job" for her birthday!  She loves the attention and we are all very proud of her.

Like I said, April was a good month --- for the most part.  Mom's surgery was up in Springfield which is 35 miles away and we had made a few trips up there for appointments before the surgery, too.  I like to chauffeur her and every trip to Springfield also includes hitting Hobby Lobby and Barnes and Noble.  Last Wednesday when I took her up there for her post-op check-up the hit was on us.  Another driver rear-ended us, right across the street from the doctor's office and ER.  Injuries were not apparent at first and once the police report was filed and Mom had her check-up, we attempted to get neck x-rays at the ER.  I was already having neck pain and pain down my left arm with tingling in my left hand.  It was going to be HOURS just to get the x-rays, so we came back to Branson where we were able to get them very quickly.

Now, as we go into the month of May, I am waiting to be scheduled for an MRI and an appointment with a neurologist.  My doctor didn't like what he saw on the x-ray report, or the symptoms I am still having.  In fact, today is the most painful yet, which can be typical of whiplash.  So, while I have so much I need to do, and want to do, the concentration and stamina just aren't there right now.  It's hard not to be angry, yet I know the other driver didn't hit us intentionally.  Thankfully, she has insurance.  Time will tell just how good it is.  

Meanwhile, during a thunderstorm in the wee hours this morning, I was thinking about cards I have made but not yet posted.  One of them is this adorable ragamuffin by The Saturated Canary.  I made this card early in April and sold it almost immediately in our shop.  

The paper is from my scrap box, but what doesn't show up is that there is embossed vellum  laid on the dp.  The Nesties sunflower die cut is the same paper, showing the brighter color.  The effect is very fun, tho' it doesn't show up well here.  I have a passion for ribbon and just happened to have this yellow gingham with the "You are my sunshine" embroidered on it.  It's fun to use the rhinestone shapes in unusual ways, like here with the circles enhancing her face, the umbrella, and the word "You" on the ribbon.

I loved coloring this image, which I did with Copics.  

Many thanks to my blogland friends and readers.  It's hasn't been easy to be away from my passions recently, but with all the cards I need to make during the coming weeks, I certainly hope to be around more often! Have a fine day and thanks for stopping by!