Cross Stitch Update!

Hello, friends! This post is a perfect example of how busy life has been here! I received this adorable thread keeper from my exchange partner Lisa about two weeks ago... right before we got the puppy! And I haven't been able to find time to post a picture. Isn't it just WONDERFUL??? I love the pattern and the *sheep*. :-) Her finishing is spectacular as well.

Thanks, Lisa!!

Here's the progress on dd's stocking. I'm way behind of course... Compliments of Emma!!

I have a travel project in the works, too... but not too much progress to show. Hopefully next week will be a little better!

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,

Tricia

September Sneak Peeks - Day 2

Didn't I tell you that today's sneak peek set from Clear Dollar Stamps was adorable????? This little sled dog is just *so* cute! And there is even a little bone with a bow on it! I colored my doggy with copics using E31 and C1 underneath and some W5 to make the fur. I had to look on Google to find a picture to copy for coloring. :-)
I watercolored this penguin from the set, using my new Tombow markers. The bright colors aren't my usual choices, but they seemed to go with the cheerful image and saying. The whole saying is... A Cheerful Giver is the Best Present. Isn't that the truth!!!

The new sets will all be available on September 1st, so be sure to set aside some money for some Labor Day clear stamp shopping at CDS!!

Today's designers...

Laurie - Katie - Cassie - Trudy - Barb - Shell - Angela

Thanks for stopping!

Blessings!

Tricia

Joy!

Paper Sundaes had a fun sketch this week, that worked perfectly with the Autumn Joy digital freebie with purchase over at Clear Dollar Stamps. I used my paisley Cuttlebug folder and some Rhubarb ink to do a letterpress background, and my tree is colored with various shades of Copic and Promarkers... with a little sky watercolored in with a Tombow marker. I found an old leaf punch in my drawer... you know - the kind of punch that you actually have to throw out your wrist to push down! I ran them through the Cuttlebug with the argyle embossing folder and sponged the edges lightly.

Have a beautiful fall day!

Tricia

CDS Digital Image: Autumn Joy

Paper: Ruby (SU), Wild Ginger, Mud Pie (CDS), Apple Cider dp

Tools: Sewing Machine, Micro Brads (CDS), Deckle Scissors, Wild Ginger Ribbon (CDS), Gingham ribbon, Leaf Punch, CB Embossing Folders - Argyle, Paisley

Copics & Tombow: R41, Y17, E37, E55, T3, YG03, Tombow491, Assorted Promarkers

September Sneak Peeks - Day 1

Welcome to Clear Dollar Stamps September sneak peeks!! :-) I just love this time of the month!! Today I have two sets to share with you... Our Saviour's Birth and Our Saviour's Scriptures.

Our Saviour's Birth is a beautiful set of solid stamps and sentiments. I love this sweet silhouette of Baby Jesus in the manger. I tried to keep the card understated to show off the main image. I used my Paislee Cuttlebug Folder and some punches and stitching, then I decorated the inside of the card with a coordinating set from Our Saviour's Scriptures...

My second card focuses on the wise men. I used some CDS Mud Pie cardstock and sponged it to set off the star.
Inside this card I used a leftover strip of dp and stamped another scripture verse from Our Saviour's Scriptures.

There are SO many sets being previewed today that will help you get a headstart on your Christmas cards! Be sure to check out all the other designers, and then come back tomorrow to see an *adorable* winter set that you'll want to add to your collection.

Today's designers...

Laurie - Candy - Katie - Cassie - Lisa - Shell - Stacy - Christi

Blessings!

Tricia

Saviour Silhouette

Stamps : Our Savior's Birth, Our Saviour's Scripture (Inside)

Paper : Olive, Cottonball White
Ink : Olive, Memento Black
Accessories: Ribbon, pop dots, sewing machine, circle punches, Oval punches, Lacy Border Punch, Paisley cuttlebug folder, micro brads

Wise Men

Stamps : Our Savior's Birth

Paper : Mud Pie, Cottonball White, SU dp
Ink : Soft Suede, White
Accessories: Ribbon, pop dots, sewing machine, circle punches, corner rounder

BellaRiffic Friday - Anything Goes

I've had so much fun playing in Bella-Riffic Friday this month! For today's Anything Goes challenge, I decided to push myself and make something more than a card, but not anything that had to do with notebooks or post-it notes, which seem to be my "fall to" 3-d projects. I decided that, since cold and flu season is fast approaching, I'd make a little "Hug in a Box" with Fluey Huggabugg. Isn't she precious??? Fluey is colored with copics and her wings are sparkled with stickles. She's popped up over some scraps of SU dp and some red cardstock that I embossed with the Swiss Dots cuttlebug folder. Inside her little box, I put some Spiced Cider, Cough Drops and Kleenex. I'm also entering this in the Stampin' for the Weekend Anything Goes challenge. :-) Perfect!

"Warm Hugs" to each of you!!

Blessings!

Tricia

Final Friday Challenge

Hello everyone! It's time for another Final Friday challenge from Paper Garden Projects!! This month we want to see your Fall and Back-to-School projects. I'm afraid that my card ended up being more late summer-ish than fallish. :-) I used the Penny Black clear set Critter Party which I watercolored with Tombow markers and then I dug through my bits and pieces of paper and embellishments to put together a more vintage-y fall-ish card that pulled its colors from the piece of Cosmo Cricket paper in the background. Since it's a birthday card, I'm going to enter it in the Create4Fun challenge, as well!

So are you ready to join the challenge?? Just link up a new card to the Paper Garden blog by September 4th and you'll be in the drawing for this adorable Penny Black Hedgehog Birthday cling stamp.

Thanks for stopping by! You make me smile!!

Blessings!

Tricia

Sweet Pumpkins

Hello friends! My card today is from two Sweet n Sassy clear sets - Sweet Pumpkins and a new set being released on the 1st called Blessings & Thanks. I played with my Tombow markers again and did some more watercoloring. Fun, fun, fun!! The paper is Cosmo Cricket and the little frond punch is by Martha Stewart.

Would you like to win a set from the Sweet n Sassy release on the first? Join the dt for a blog hop on August 31st featuring the new sets and play along with one or more of the challenges to have a chance to win!!

Blessings!

Tricia

Primary School Snowman

Deedee's Digi's Happy Monday challenge today is to make a card using "primary school colors"... you know, the ones you'd find in the box of 8 crayons. :-) I colored up this adorable snowman and made a quick card to play along. I'm planning to put this into my box for Operation Write Home since it's not overly embellished and can be mailed easily.

Blessings!

Tricia

Back to School Library Mouse

Hello! And welcome to the Paper Garden Projects Festive Fall Garden Walk!!

I hope you'll be able to take a relaxing stroll through the blogs of all the Paper Gardeners and enjoy some friendly fall & back-to-school inspiration!!

Visit each of the Paper Gardener's blogs, and take note of each designer's name and their special garden walk word. Once you've finished your garden tour, send an E-mail to custserv@papergardenprojects.com with the list of designers and their garden walk word.

Everyone who sends the correct list of designers and words will be entered in a random drawing to win a prize. You need to send an e-mail to the address above; please don't leave your list as a comment! You have until midnight (EST) on Wednesday, August 25th, to send your list.

And the prize? We may be celebrating Fall, but summer is not quite over yet. So how about not one but 2 cute summer Kraftin Kimmie unmounted stamps! Be sure to stop by Cathy's blog to see them!

------------------------------------

Since my secret word is SCHOOL, for my garden tour project, I decided to do something back to schoolish. I had this adorable dp-looking $1 notepad that I bought at Michaels, so I decorated it and made a matching pen. Wouldn't it be fun to receive one of these from a teacher or a friend on the first day of school??

I stamped my Library Mouse image in Memento ink on watercolor paper and then heat set it quickly. I chose some dp to help me pick my colors for watercoloring... and then ended up not using the dp on the final project! LOL! Here's a close up...
The lace is from an old bag of scraps that was my grandma's, and I just love the lace and sewing and ribbon and button look. The sentiment is from the TagLines set, which I've used over and over!!

If you've never decorated an RSVP pen, I'd highly recommend it. It's so much fun, and you'll always know which pen is yours. I just cut a 3.25" x .75" piece of dp, rolled it up tightly, and inserted it into the barrel of the pen. I *love* how these pens write, too. Especially the fine point ones.

That's it for me! Enjoy the garden tour!! Here's the tour guide list, in case you get lost:

• Cathy
• Amber
• Tangii
• Tricia
• Linda
• Andrea
• Alyssa

Thanks for stopping by! See you later!!!

Yay! I stamped!!

I really enjoy participating in company challenges, so I'm reminded to use some of the adorable stamps that I just had to have. :-) This little Turtle Tot is one of my favorites from Stampin Bella, so for my Bella-riffic Friday sketch card I watercolored him and made a little night scene, complete with grass, sky, stars and either a mountain or a tent... take your pick. I love the "Need a Hug?" sentiment. Personally I think I would need both the hug and the teddy bear if I had to spend a night outside. I am SO not a camping type girl!!!

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget the Paper Garden Projects Garden Walk tomorrow. I have a fun "Back to School" project to share with you!

Emma

Meet the newest addition to our family, Emma. She's a mini schnauzer that my daughter just adopted - born on April Fool's Day. Hmmmm...

She is sweet as sugar, but our older dog really doesn't know what to think. She takes his toys, drinks from his bowl and chases his tail ... as well as her own. He tries to ignore her, but she doesn't go away! LOL!

This is about as close as they get right now...



I'm finding that I had forgotten exactly how much work a new puppy is. I'm lucky to get downstairs to make a card or pack GraceWorks orders. I *have to* make time today to take pictures of some cards, so you have something to look at other than a cute puppy! :-)

Blessings!

Tricia

The Best is Yet to Be!!

Happy Monday! Today I spent time coloring one of my favorite stamps for the challenge over at Sweet Stampin. I love this Tilda with Broom because she reminds me of Cinderella, which is perfect because the challenge at Stamp Something this week was Fairy Tales! :-) As I was looking through my stamps for a sentiment, I found this clear stamp by Sweet n Sassy that was just perfect. Little did Cinderella know that the best was yet to be!!

My sketch today was from Create 4 Fun, although I had to switch out the oval for a rectangle or Tilda wouldn't have fit. I used the summery blue color scheme for the Simon Says Stamp challenge, and I even used some ribbon and sparkles (my Stardust pen), which makes it work for the Pink Elephant challenge as well.

I must admit that I always feel badly when I make a Tilda card. Most of them that I see out there are so GORGEOUS, that mine doesn't seem to do her justice. I do love all of the roses, and tags, and ribbon and such that others use, but I just don't *think* that way! And, that's ok. :-) How about you? Are you an embellisher? What a gift you have!! Are you more of a clean and simple stamper? What a gift you have!! Praise the Lord that we can all enjoy making beautiful things in so many different styles!!!

Happy stamping!!

Tricia

Autumn Joy

Can you believe that it is August 15th already?? Wow! How time flies. Pretty soon the trees outside my window are going to look like this one! OK... so maybe all the leaves won't be different colors, LOL, but you get the idea! "Autumn Joy" is a new digi set being released at Clear Dollar Stamps today. In fact it's free with a purchase! There are marvelous new sets available, so be sure to click over to Lori's blog to see them all before you finish your blog hopping today!! :-)

Here's the details on today's card...

ALL CDS SETS USED: Autumn Joy
CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: CDS - Worn Parchment, Wild Ginger. Unknown Red CS. DP from Graphic 45.
MARKERS: Copic Y17, YR07, YG99, YG95, E31, E55, R29.
ACCENTS AND TOOLS: Staples, .01 Black marker, Brads, Oval & Scalloped Oval punches, Scalloped Border Punch.
COLORING TECHNIQUES: Copics

Thanks for dropping by!!

Cocoa's Gift

Guess what, guess what, guess what??????? :-) A friend called last night and told me that there were markers for 75% off at our "local" Ben Franklin for sidewalk sale days. Like any good stamper/sale shopper, I jumped in the car immediately and drove the half hour to see what I could find. And what a *find* it was!!!! I was able to get 60 markers - half Tombow markers for watercoloring and half promarkers, which are basically non-refillable copics - for 75 cents each!!!! What makes it even better is that I had a $30.00 gift certificate. So I spent $25 for 60 markers. A savings of $155.00. Isn't God good???????

Now, I'll be the first to admit that this example of watercoloring isn't my best work. I need to heat set my ink and I forgot to, so it smeared some. But I was remembering as I went... and it's good enough to send, so I didn't start over. Sometimes good enough is good enough. :-)

I used the sketch from Sketch & Stash and I'm posting it just under the wire, I think. The image is from a new clear set by Sweet n Sassy Stamps called Cocoa's Gift, and you'll notice in the background, I made more "designer paper" with my Impression Obsession Quilt background stamp from Paper Garden Projects.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Blessings!

Tricia

Cross Stitch Catch Up!

I can't believe that it has been so long since I last updated my cross stitch! Let's see... at the end of July, my dd and I went to a week long string camp in IN. A while ago, I had bought the Traveling Stitcher pattern and thread and I'd decided that it would be my project while she and I were gone. I'm not a very fast stitcher, but since I stitched it on 18 ct Fiddler's Cloth aida, it was an easy stitch, and I was thrilled to be able to finish it the night we got home! You'll notice that I changed the wording some. It's now a Psalm 139 sampler. :-)

The other thing that I'm working on right now is this stocking --------> (No, mine's not finished!!) This is now the third stocking that I've started for my (almost) 20 year old daughter in the past year. The first one was beautiful! A JCA kit of a horse in a stable surrounded by dogs. It was half done when I started to get hives on my hands every time I worked on it. It seems I was allergic to the floss they used in the kit. Either that or I took it to the violin teacher's house & I think she had a cat... After I gave that stocking to my sil, I went back to the Victorian Stitcher's Stocking that I've been showing you, but for some reason I've had trouble with the fabric. Everytime I held it my stomach hurt. Lovely. I know I've had trouble with that before when I come in contact with fabric that is linen or has linen in it. Sigh. The joy of allergies. Well, this stocking kit that I just started is a good old Dimensions gold kit, on good old aida cloth. I'm not taking it *anywhere*. I will stitch on it every day for at least a few minutes, and maybe, just maybe, dd will have it for Christmas this year. Wish me luck!!

Of course, there is the Psalm 23 sampler in an older book by Diane Williams of LHN fame, that I just *had* to get from someone in our group who was destashing... And I have the fabric for it already... Maybe that will become my travel project. :-) Or perhaps I should finish my other travel projects first???? Decisions, Decisions!! LOL!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Tricia

BellaRiffic Bling

It's BellaRiffic Friday and today's challenge was to use "bling". Bling isn't really my signature move, but I did manage a few rows of pearls, and if you make the picture bigger, you might see the Stardust pen that I used on Miss BittyBloom's skirt to make it glitter. :-) This fun paper and ribbon is from the package of challenge candy that I got from Tuesday Morning Sketches, for winning the monthly challenge in July. What a nice treat!!

My sketch for today's card is from Card Positioning Systems, and since it is a fall card without a sentiment it works for the OWH Midweek Throwdown challenge as well. :-) Oh! I have to show you my new organizational tool for keeping track of the challenges I like! I'm not one to make a card and then find all the challenges that they fit. I really like to pick a sketch, a theme, and maybe some colors or a technique as I start to make a card. It really helps my mojo. :-)

So here's a peek at the page(s) that I made...

The bottom page that you just see a little of, has a list of all the challenges I check. Next to the name I write the theme or if it's a sketch. I can also write who it sponsoring it (and if it's a *good* sponsor, I highlight it and it becomes a "must do". LOL!) The top sheet has a verse to remind me that any artistic work I may do is a gift from God. Then I have boxes to mark down sketches, with a little box in the corner to check if I complete it. There's even a list of the days of the week, so I know when it is expired. It really is helping me combine challenges for inspiration, rather than making a card and then looking for where it will fit.

Sorry so long today! Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings!

Tricia

Autumn with Cocoa

One of the best things about digis to me, is that I can print out a sheet of them at a time, one of each one that catches my eye. Then, when I have a minute, I can color one and make a card. Today, I saw this little "Harvest Cocoa" digi all ready to use and knew it would be perfect with the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches. Just a side note... when I print out my digis, I try to be sure the largest side is under 2.5". That way I can usually use them with my next to largest nesties.

Today's Ways to Use It challenge on SCS is to use buttons, which worked into the sketch perfectly, as well. I simply added some sponging and a little faux stitching and it was done!

BTW, Harvest Cocoa is also part of the Autumn Lovin' Cocoa clear stamp set available at Sweet n Sassy as well. Don't you just love options!! :-)

Thanks for stopping by!

Tricia

Pretty in Pink

Today's card is "challenge inspired". Stampin for the Weekend wanted a "Back to School" card, so I made this card for my dd who is starting her Medical Transcription studies. Since it's an easel card (for the Magnolia Down Under challenge), she can set it on her desk and it can be an encouragement to her. I used one of my favorite Tildas, and a little puppy by The Angel Company, who just seems to fit with her. Plus dd loves dogs. She's done in pink for the Sweet Stampin Challenge, and the sketch is by Card Patterns.

I must admit that easel cards are not my favorite... but I do like how this one turned out!

Thanks for stopping by!

Tricia

A Monster Bookmark

I found this adorable image when I was looking at challenges yesterday, and I just *had to* make something with it. My daughter snagged the bookmark immediately. The picture doesn't show the colors as deep as they are in real life. Too bad, too, cuz he's too cute!!! :-)

Copic Creations was looking for a creation with a summer reading theme. Perfect! Be sure to stop by there and see how you can get some amazing digis!!

Thanks for stopping by today!!

Harvest Moon

Happy Fall, Y'all! :-) Well, not really, I guess, but this image from DD's digis sure makes me think of cool night, apples fresh from the orchard, and the smell of burning leaves! I used the Happy Monday sketch from Deedee's digis challenge blog for my card today. It's colored with copics and prismacolors, and has some distressing, so it fits the Delightful Challenges challenge this week as well. The Hand Full of Stamps challenge was to make a card with an September/October theme. I think this counts! :-) BTW, I made some cool "background paper" again, with the Quilt Cover-a-Card backgrounder. I love that! I think Cathy still has some available at Paper Garden Projects! TTFN!

Sorry, I Frog-ot!

Happy Monday!! :-)

I have a fun card to share today, that features the Fenton Frog-ot digi from Sweet n Sassy. Doesn't his little face make you just want to say, "Awwwwww...." ~ I think he's adorable!! I used the Sweet Stop sketch for the week, and since it's a birthday card, (albeit a late one!) it also fits the inspiration theme at the Stamp Something blog. I used little boy colors... as well as a frog and the toad-ally awesome saying... to make it fit the Stamptacular Sunday theme of Snips & Snails, and just for good measure, I think I'll enter it in the "Whateveh" challenge at Cute Card Thursday.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Tricia

Back to School

Good morning!

Here's Schoolgirl Sally all ready for school. Isn't she sweet? I love her neatly organized desk with the cute cup for her pencils and scissors. I wish my desk was always that uncluttered!! Schoolgirl Sally is a digi, but the sentiment is from the clear set Poppies and Greetings. I think that clear set is the one that I've gotten the most use of so far. It's definitely a *must have* for your collection.

On another note... this card is a mutated version of this week's Sweet Stop sketch. :-) I rotated it, flipped it, made the center panel too big and put the sentiment in the wrong place. Do you think it will still count??? {{looking innocent}} LOL!!! It also fits the Simon Says Stamps challenge on PCP for a card that has a Back to School theme.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. By the way, did I tell you that I saw some geese flying south the other day??? It's heading on toward fall!!! :-) Yay! Only a few more months until Thanksgiving and Christmas!!!

Blessings!

Tricia

Sweet as Sugar

I know, I know, three posts in one day is a lot! But I really wanted to play along in the Sugar Bowl Challenge this week, because I've never taken the time to color this sweet little Chick a Dee Sugar Nellie girl that I got eons ago! I based my colors off of the K&Co mat stack of paper that I got recently, colored with copics and did a little paper piecing on her apron and bows. The sentiment is from Clear Dollar Stamps and the sketch is Sugar Bowl sketch #33.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tricia

BellaRiffic Friday

Happy Friday! I haven't been able to play in the Bellariffic Friday challenges for awhile, but this week was an easy one... paper piecing. I pulled out my Turtle Tot and got to work giving him a paper pieced tummy. The center of two of the flowers are micro brads, the grass is done with Prismacolors, I used an old Fiskars border punch, and the sketch is my own... I think that about covers it! :-)

Have a happy day!

Tricia

Cute Christmas Kitty

My card for today's Clearly Inspired Challenge uses something "cute and cuddly" - a sweet Christmas kitty from Clear Dollar Stamps' Meowy Christmas set. I colored the kitty with Copics and paper pieced the stocking. I had fun using the Mojo Monday sketch for the layout, pulling out some Graphic 45 paper that I won as blog candy last year, and unearthing my snowflake Cuttlebug folder. I used a mixture of punches and nesties for the circles, and the sentiment (from CDS' Christmas Scriptures) was stamped straight and then clipped to fit around the circle's edge.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you'll join in our cute and cuddly challenge!!

Blessings!

Tricia

Birthday Roses

It's time for another Clearly Delightful Blog Challenge sponsored by The Doodle Pantry!! The challenge this month is to make a card that uses a tag. The tag can *be* the card or be *on* the card. I chose to use a double ended Nestibilities die for my tag, then I just cut one of the ends off. I used the new Doodle Pantry Mini Rose Pot digi set and a sentiment from the set as well. I even tried my hand at ruffled ribbon. Don't know as that will become my signature move... LOL!

Be sure to check out all of Laurie's new Doodle Pantry releases. There are some *adorable* ones in the shop!! Then run over and join us for the challenge!!

Blessings!

Tricia

Mary Had a Little Lamb

I had some fun in my craft nook tonight and made this little Magnolia card. I took my inspiration from four different challenges. Can you believe it?? Simon Says Stamps was looking for a card that reminded you of a song title... doesn't she just look like "Mary had a Little Lamb"? Magnolia Down Under wanted a birthday card. The Color Throwdown colors were Daffodil, Tangerine and Olive. I don't have the SU colors yet, but I kept my colors as close as I could. And, finally, I got my sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Vintage Cup of Joy

I sat down tonight to put together a quick "vintage" card for the weekly challenge over a the Crafting with Deedee's Digis blog. I used the Cup of Joy digi and a sentiment... that I can't remember what set it is from! Sorry! My sketch is from Tuesday Morning Sketches, and my vintage tool of choice (although the challenge didn't require one!) was an old SU Script background stamp that I used to make the "background paper".

Thanks for stopping by!

Tricia

Sew, how was your day?

Yay! New releases at Sweet 'n Sassy! There are a whole gob of new clear sets available, and Sew Sweet Cocoa is one of them! I used the Papertake Weekly sketch for this card and lots of sewing, which met the Paper Sundaes challenge. For my Cocoa image, I actually used the digi Sew Sweet Cocoa, because I needed him a little smaller, but I used the clear set for the sentiment, so I could stamp it on dp.

Don't forget about Sweet 'n Sassy digi day on Thursday, over at SNR and PCP in the Sweet n Sassy forums. We have a fun challenge for you this week!

Hope your day is "sew" wonderful!!

Blessings!

Tricia

Brown & Green

I had a chance to play in my stamp room for awhile this afternoon, and I took the opportunity to make a card with a couple of Deedee's digis. Her challenge this week was to use brown and green, so I colored my bear with copics and used some Papertrey and Cosmo Cricket dp. The sketch is from Pink Elephant. I don't think I've played in one of their challenges before!

Thanks for stopping by! There should be lots of cards for you to look at this week. I was having fun creating! :-)

Thanks for stopping by!