Goofy Gumballs

Hello crafty friends! I hope you are all having a fabulous week! I've been really sick for the past 3 weeks but I'm finally starting to feel better. This is the second time this year I've had this nasty flu virus & it is no joke! Both times it completely knocked me out for several weeks. Ugh!

Anyway, I'm happy to be back in my craft room & I've actually been fairly productive. Today I have 2 cards to share. They're really just 2 variations of the same card but I could keep making these all day! I just love the bright primary colors & I'm having so much fun coloring with my new watercolor brush pens! They work perfectly with these Lawn Fawn stamps....

SIZES:  5" round & A2
CRICUT:  Expression 2 & Gypsy
CARTRIDGE:  "Smiley Cards"
MANUAL DIES:  Cuttlebug machine; Lawn Fawn "Large Stitched Circle Stackables"
PAPER:  Recollections; Core'dinations
EMBOSSING:  Cuttlebug machine; Provo Craft "Seeing Spots" folder
STAMP SET:  Lawn Fawn "Sweet Smiles"
COLORING:  Zig Clean Color waterbase brush pens
INK:  Tim Holtz Distress Ink "Black Soot"
OTHER:  Fiskars Paper Edgers; 3M foam tape


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Challenges:

DL.ART -  July Linky Challenge; anything goes
Little Scrap Pieces -  Saturday Linky Party; anything goes
Crafting Musketeers -  Challenge #27; anything goes
Simon Says Stamp -  Wednesday Challenge; shaped cards; featuring Lawn Fawn
Sister Act -  Challenge #114; anything goes
Word Art Wednesday -  Challenge #192; anything goes (Isaiah 55:12)


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Thank you so much for visiting me! Have a fantastic day!

FCCB Challenge #254 ~ Anything Goes

Good morning & happy Monday! Did you all have a nice Father's Day weekend? I picked up my parents from the airport (they spent 2 weeks in Peru & South America). Then we came home & had a BBQ with my stepson, daughter-in-law, our 2 grandsons, (ages 1 & 3) and our Goddaughter (age 6). It was super fun!

Anyway, since it is Monday, that means it must be time for another FCCB challenge! I hope you are able to join us, or at least get some fantabulous inspiration from our design team's creations. We have recently expanded our team & let me tell you that these ladies are rockin' it! To enter and/or check out the challenge, click the link above or the box directly below.

   

Challenge #254 ~ Anything Goes

This Week's Sponsor

  

Winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Verve Stamps!

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Here is my card for the challenge....

SIZE:  A2

CRICUT:  Expression 2 & Gypsy

CARTRIDGE:  "Art Philosophy"

PAPER:  Graphic 45 "Secret Garden" cardstock

INK:  CTMH Exclusive Inks "Desert Sand"

TWINE:  The Twinery

OTHER:  Stickles "Star Dust"; Doodlebug gems; Fiskars paper edgers; 3M foam tape

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Challenges:

DL.ART -  June Linky Challenge; anything goes; 2nd entry
Crafting By Designs -  June Challenge; anything goes; 2nd entry


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Thank you so much for visiting me & have a fantabulous day!

Horsing Around

Hello my crafty friends! It's been a month since my last post, which is very unusual for me, but I've had so much going on & quite frankly I was experiencing a bad case of crafters block. I guess I just needed to take a little break & focus on other things in my life for a few weeks. Of course I can't exist without crafting for too long! I feel like I've got some of my creative mojo back now so it's all good.

I did something different & outside of my comfort zone for today's card. I've never been into coloring stamped images but I recently acquired some of the awesome new Zig watercolor markers, so I'm giving it a go. I watched a few videos & I'm starting to get the hang of using them, blending colors, etc. It's actually pretty fun!

SIZE:  4.75 x 6"
CRICUT:  Expression 2 & Gypsy
CARTRIDGE:  "Bits and Pieces"
PAPER:  Recollections; Bazzill; Tim Holtz watercolor cardstock
MARKERS:  Zig Clean Color waterbase markers
STAMP SET:  Craftin Desert Diva's "Punny Farm"
INK:  StazOn Solvent Ink "Jet Black"
OTHER:  Smooch Pearlized Top Coat; 3M foam tape


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Challenges:

DL.ART -  June Linky Challenge; anything goes
Craftin Desert Diva's -  Linky Party; summer
Little Scrap Pieces -  Saturday Linky Party; anything goes
Crafting Musketeers -  Challenge #26; "Shades of Summer"
Cute Card Thursday -  Challenge #376; summer colors
Crafty Creations -  Challenge #290; "All Creatures Great & Small"
Crafting By Designs -  June Challenge; anything goes
Word Art Wednesday -  Challenge #186 (Hebrews 13:8); anything goes


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Thank you for visiting me & have a great day!

FCCB Challenge #250 ~ "Celebrate Mom"

Hello fellow crafty peeps! I hope you had a lovely weekend & that Monday is being kind to you so far. Speaking of Mondays.... that must mean it's time for another FCCB challenge. Yes indeed! Since time seems to be flying by at an insanely fast pace, it will be Mother's Day before we know it! Therefore, our theme this time is "Celebrate Mom". You can create any project having to do with Mother's Day, whether it's for your own mother or someone else's. Click the box below to enter the challenge & we look forward to seeing your fantabulous creations!....

 

Challenge #250 ~ Celebrate Mom

 
This Weeks Sponsor
digiplayground.com

 There will be 3 winners of $7 gift certificates!

To qualify for the prize, be sure to use at least one Cricut cut on your project and, if it's not obvious, let us know which cartridge(s) you used. If you use a Cricut Explore machine, at least one cut must be from the Cricut catalog of images.

 

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Here is my card for the challenge....

SIZE:  4.5" square

CRICUT:  Expression 2 & Gypsy

CARTRIDGES:  "Creative Everyday Cards" & "Type Candy Font"

PAPER:  Doodlebug cardstock

OTHER:  CTMH Liquid Glass; Doodlebug Chunky Brads & Mini Jewels; 3M foam tape

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Challenges:

DL.ART -  April Linky Challenge; anything goes; 4th entry
Little Scrap Pieces -  Saturday Linky Party; anything goes
My Sheri Crafts -  Challenge #155; girly card/Mother's Day; 2nd entry


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Thank you for stopping by & have a fantabulous day!

Lovely Butterflies

 **** Click HERE for the current FCCB challenge, "Welcome Spring!" ****

Hello friends! I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend. I just spent 3 days at my Grandma's house, which is about 2 hours away. We recently lost my Grandpa & they had been married for 70 years! Pretty amazing, huh? Well, needless to say, my Grandma is pretty lonely without him so it's very important for us all to make an effort to spend time with her. We had a lot of fun but I'm glad to be home.... I missed my doggies! (oh yeah & my husband too, lol).

I made this card using a new cartridge from Anna Griffin & I just love all her cartridges. I pretty much love everything she does though. My husband gets really scared every time she's on HSN, lol. I don't really have anyone specific in mind to give this card to but I loved the design & just had to make it.

SIZE:  5 x 7"
CRICUT:  Expression 2
CARTRIDGE:  "Bridal and Baby Soirées"
MANUAL DIES:  Cuttlebug machine; Lawn Fawn "Large Stitched Circle Stackables"
PAPER:  CTMH cardstock
STAMP SET:  Craftin Desert Diva's "Simply Said"
INK:  CTMH Exclusive Inks "Glacier"
OTHER:  Recollections mini pearls; Smooch Pearlized Top Coat; 3M foam tape


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Challenges:

DL.ART -  April Linky Challenge; anything goes; 3rd entry
HIMCR -  Challenge #196; "Freestyle" (anything goes)
Little Scrap Pieces -  Saturday Linky Party; anything goes
My Sheri Crafts -  Challenge #155; girly card
Party Time Tuesdays -  Challenge #197; anything goes; 3rd entry
Word Art Wednesday -  Challenge #179; anything goes


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Thank you for stopping by & have a wonderful day!

Happy Flippin' Birthday

Ha ha! Get it?.... It's a flip card! Actually I think it's called a swing card but oh well. The pun was too good to pass up. Anyway, hello my crafty friends! I hope you are having a lovely Sunday. It's sunny, warm & beautiful here in Northern Cali. As I mentioned in my last post, I'm cool with the sunny weather but I really love the rain & cold. Weird, right? I don't know why. I've just always been that way.

Moving on.... this card was for our friend/neighbor for her birthday a couple days ago. It was so easy & quick to make that I felt like I should do more stuff to it. Does anyone else do that? I feel like it's not complete unless I fuss over it obsessively, lol. I managed to resist the urge this time & left it alone (pretty much).

SIZE:  5 x 7"
CRICUT:  Expression 2 & Gypsy
CARTRIDGE:  "Artfully Sent"
PAPER:  Echo Park
OTHER:  Recollections mini pearls & gem


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Challenges:

DL.ART -  April Linky Challenge; anything goes; 2nd entry
Little Scrap Pieces -  Saturday Linky Party; anything goes
Party Time Tuesdays -  Challenge #197; anything goes; 2nd entry
Word Art Wednesday -  Challenge #178; anything goes; 2nd entry


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Thank you so much for visiting & have an awesome day!

Happy Spring!

Hello my crafty comrades! I hope you are all having a lovely week. We got some much needed rain here in Northern Cali, which was doubly awesome because I love the rain! Sunshine is nice but rain is my thing. However, I do love a good girly froo-froo Spring card. Today's card was made sans Cricut, if you believe that nonsense! I felt like doing something different. I even made my own background paper!

SIZE:  A2
PAPER:  CTMH cardstock "White Daisy"
STAMP SETS:  Echo Park "Happy Little Moments"; My Pink Stamper "Happiest Moments"
INK:  VersaMagic chalk ink "Pixie Dust", "Sea Breeze", "Aloe Vera"
RIBBON:  Doodlebug Boutique Trims
OTHER:  Fiskars Paper Edgers & corner rounder; Doodlebug Boutique Buttons; Pebbles Candy Dots "Crystal White"; 3M foam tape


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Challenges:

DL.ART -  April Linky Challenge; anything goes
Little Scrap Pieces -  Saturday Linky Party; anything goes
Party Time Tuesdays -  Challenge #197; anything goes
Word Art Wednesday -  Challenge #178; anything goes


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Thank you for hangin' out with me & have a wonderful day!

FCCB Challenge #238 ~ Easter

Hello my crafty friends! I hope y'all had a great weekend! It's time for another fantabulous Challenge Me Monday at FCCB, so I sure hope you can join us for some fun & a majorly awesome prize!

Challenge #248 ~ Easter

This Week's Sponsor:

 
 
The prize is 7 digital stamps

To qualify for the prize, be sure to use at least 1 Cricut cut on your project & let us know which cartridge(s) you used. If you use a Cricut Explore machine, at least one cut must be from the Cricut catalog of images.

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 Here is my Easter card....

SIZE:  A2
CRICUT:  Expression 2 & Gypsy
CARTRIDGE:  "Folk Art Festival"
PAPER:  My Mind's Eye; Jillibean Soup; Recollections
STAMP SET:  My Pink Stamper "Happiest Moments"
INK:  Tim Holtz Distress Ink "Black Soot"
EMBOSSING:  Cuttlebug machine with Sizzix folder 
RIBBON:  Little Scrap Pieces
OTHER:  Fiskars border punch; Recollections mini pearls; 3M foam tape
    
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Challenges:

DL.ART -  March Linky Challenge; anything goes; 3rd entry
Crafting Musketeers -  Challenge #23; ribbons & pearls
Crafty Ribbons -  anything goes with ribbon; 2nd entry
Party Time Tuesdays -  Challenge #196; anything goes; 2nd entry
My Sheri Crafts -  Challenge #153; "Easter Wishes" (cross, bunny or eggs)
Little Scrap Pieces -  Saturday Linky Party; anything goes
Word Art Wednesday -  Challenge #176; anything goes
Simon Says Stamp -  Wednesday Challenge; anything goes
Sister Act -  Challenge #99; anything goes 

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Thank you for visiting me & have a fantabulous day!

Angel Dog

Hello friends! Happy Tuesday! I haven't posted in a couple weeks because I got hit with the nastiest flu virus I've ever had. It lasted a full 3 weeks & I still have a cough but am feeling much better now. Today I'm sharing a thank you card I made for the home care/hospice vet who took care of my Lexi in her final days. When the time came to put her to sleep we were so fortunate & blessed to have it done right here in our own home. I thought this angel doggie image was so fitting & I knew I wanted to use this sentiment because it's one of my favorites.

 

Inside

SIZE:  5 x 7"
CRICUT:  Expression 2 & Gypsy
CARTRIDGE:  "Paper Pups"
PAPER:  WRMK "Friends Furever" cardstock; Bazzill cardstock
STAMP SETS:  Scrappy Moms Stamps "Raining Cats & Dogs"; Craftin Desert Diva's "Animal Antics"; CTMH "Curlicue Frames"
INK:  CTMH Exclusive Inks "Cranberry"
OTHER:  WRMK twill ribbon & fabric brads; Stickles "Star Dust" & "Black Diamond"


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Challenges:

DL.ART -  March Linky Challenge; anything goes; 2nd entry
BBTB2 -  "Frame It!" (framed sentiment)
Little Scrap Pieces -  Saturday Linky Party; anything goes
Crafty Ribbons -  anything goes with ribbon
Party Time Tuesdays -  Challenge #196; anything goes
Word Art Wednesday -  Challenge #175; anything goes
Crafting From The Heart -  Challenge #52; anything goes


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Thank you for stopping by & have a great day!

FCCB Challenge #246 ~ St. Patrick's Day

Hello & happy Monday to all my crafty peeps! Without further adieu, it's time to introduce our new fantabulous Monday challenge at FCCB....

Challenge #246 ~ St.Patrick's Day

This Week's Sponsor
digiplayground.com


 
There will be 3 winners of $7 gift certificates!

To qualify for the prize, be sure to use at least 1 Cricut cut on your project and, if it's not obvious, let us know which cartridge(s) you used.

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Here is my project for the challenge....

 

SIZE:  5"

CRICUT:  Expression 2 & Gypsy

CARTRIDGES:  "Seasonal Soirées"; "Smiley Cards"; "Art Philosophy"; "Teddy Bear Parade"

PAPER:  Core'dinations; DCWV; Bazzill

OTHER:  Stickles "Star Dust" & "Black Diamond"; 3M foam tape

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Challenges:

DL.ART -  March Linky Challenge; anything goes
Little Scrap Pieces -  Saturday Linky Party; anything goes
Simon Says Stamp -  Monday Challenge; "Just a Hint of Clover"
Word Art Wednesday -  Challenge #172; anything goes
The Sisterhood Of Crafters -  Paper piecing and/or paper piercing
Simply Create Too -  Challenge #80; St. Patrick's Day or mostly green


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Thank you for visiting me & have a fantabulous day!

Stop & Smell The Roses

Hello my friends!  Happy almost weekend! For today's post I made a card for a family friend of ours who was in a very unfortunate accident a couple weeks ago. She's out of the hospital, but now she's staying at a rehab facility until she gets her strength & movement back. Roses are always a safe bet to cheer someone up, so I hope she likes this card....

Inside

SIZE:  5 x 7"
CRICUT:  Craft Room; Expression 2; Gypsy
CARTRIDGES:  "Soirée Lettering" & "Small Talk Frames & Tags"
PAPER:  CTMH cardstock
EMBOSSING:  Cuttlebug machine; Anna Griffin folder "Rosa"; inked with CTMH Exclusive Inks "Whisper"
STAMP SETS:  Craftin Desert Diva's "Say It Big" & "Simply Said"; CTMH "Heartstrings" & "Curlicue Frames" 
INK:  CTMH Exclusive Inks "Cranberry", "Lagoon", "Whisper" & "Pixie"
OTHER:  Martha Stewart border punch; CTMH Extra Thick Twine "Pixie"; CTMH sequins; Sakura gel pen; 3M foam tape


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Challenges:

DL.ART -  February Linky Challenge; anything goes; 4th entry
Craftin Desert Diva's -  Linky Party; use ribbon; 2nd entry
Little Scrap Pieces -  Saturday Linky Party; anything goes
Party Time Tuesdays -  Challenge #195; anything goes; 3rd entry
Simon Says Stamp -  Monday Challenge; anything goes
Crafting By Designs -  "Thinking Of You" card
Cute Card Thursday -  Challenge #262; "Fancy Corners"
Word Art Wednesday -  Challenge #172; anything goes


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Thank you very much for stopping by & have a great day!

I {Heart} You

Hello crafty friends! I hope you're enjoying this holiday weekend! I'm still recovering from my gallbladder removal surgery 3 days ago, but I'm doing pretty well. My husband has been taking wonderful care of me & my mom has kept us hooked up with meals, which has been a lifesaver. Anyway, I haven't been feeling very creatively inspired, but I was just putzing around in my craft room & came up with this card. I'm trying to get my Imagine machine working again & I managed to get it to print, but it still won't cut. At least I'm able to print out paper with it, so that's what I used for this card....

SIZE:  5.5" square
CRICUT:  Imagine
CARTRIDGE:  "Berries & Cream"
PAPER:  Core'dinations
MANUAL DIES:  Cuttlebug machine; Lawn Fawn Lawn Cuts "Large Stitched Circle Stackables"
STAMP SET:  Craftin Desert Divas "Simply Said"
INK:  CTMH Exclusive Inks "Pansy Purple"
RIBBON:  Celebrate It
OTHER:  3M foam tape


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Challenges:

DL.ART -  February Linky Challenge; anything goes; 3rd entry
Craftin Desert Divas -  Linky Party; use ribbon  
Little Scrap Pieces -  Saturday Linky Party; anything goes
Crafty Creations -  Challenge #282; "Owls, Hearts & Love"; 2nd entry
Party Time Tuesdays -  Challenge #195; anything goes; 2nd entry
Word Art Wednesday -  Challenge #170; anything goes


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Thank you so much for visiting me & have a great day!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hi friends! I don't have a project to post because I just had surgery yesterday, but I just wanted to say....

 

 Big love to you all!

I Love You

Hello crafty friends! I hope you're all having a lovely weekend & not getting too soaked. It rained like a you-know-what here last night & we lost power for a good 12 hours, but it's back on now, thank goodness! I wanted to do this post last night but, of course, no internet! Grrr.

It's been a rough week for us here in the Martin house. We lost our sweet girl, Lexi on Monday night. As most of you know, she was diagnosed with a massive inoperable liver tumor over 2 years ago. She had been symptom-free the whole time, until last Friday when she started declining rapidly. By Monday we knew it was time to say goodbye. She could no longer walk & was extremely disoriented. We had our home care/hospice vet put her to sleep here at our house, surrounded by our whole family. She was by my side for 14+ years & was the love of my life. I'm devastated but trying to keep myself busy & distracted. You can see more photos of her & stuff on my Facebook page HERE. 

Lexi Annmarie Martin   5/11/00 - 2/2/15

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OK, now onto the crafting portion of my post. Today's card was made using a sketch from Joy at Obsessed With Scrapbooking. I think it's more summer-y than Valentine-y but I do love the colors....

SIZE:  A2

CRICUT:  Expression 2 & Gypsy

CARTRIDGES:  "Elegant Embellishments" & "Paper Lace 2"

PAPER:  CTMH 

STAMP SET:  CTMH "Wild About Love"

INK:  CTMH Exclusive Inks "Desert Sand"

OTHER:  My Mind's Eye enamel dots; 3M foam tape

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Challenges:

DL.ART -  February Linky Challenge; anything goes; 2nd entry

Obsessed With Scrapbooking -  Sketch Challenge

Little Scrap Pieces -  Saturday Linky Challenge; anything goes

Simon Says Stamp -  Monday Challenge; "H is For..." (hearts); 2nd entry

Heart 2 Heart -  "Home Is Where The Heart Is"; use CTMH products; 2nd entry

Party Time Tuesdays -  Challenge #195; anything goes

Cute Card Thursday -  Challenge #359; "Crazy in Love"

Word Art Wednesday -  Challenge #169; anything goes
Crafty Creations -  Challenge #282; "Owls, Hearts & Love"

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Thank you for visiting me & have a wonderful weekend!

FCCB Challenge #244 ~ Valentine's Day

Hello there! I hope you all had an awesome weekend! Yep, it's Monday, which means it's time for another FCCB challenge! I hope you can join us!

Challenge #244 ~ Valentine Projects

This Week's Sponsor

Digital Image from Kitty Bee Designs

Be sure to visit our sponsor!

Here is my project....

SIZE:  A2

CRICUT:  Expression 2 & Gypsy

CARTRIDGE:  "Create A Critter 2"

PAPER:  CTMH

STAMP SET:  My Pink Stamper "Buggy Punnies"

INK:  Tim Holtz Distress Ink "Black Soot"

PUNCH:  Martha Stewart

OTHER:  CTMH Extra Thick Twine "Pixie"; CTMH Stuck On You Puffies (hearts); 3M foam tape

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Challenges:

DL.ART -  February Linky Challenge; anything goes
Heart 2 Heart -  "Home Is Where The Heart Is"

Little Scrap Pieces -  Saturday Linky Party; anything goes
My Sheri Crafts -  Challenge #149; Valentine's Day (use at least 1 heart)

Simon Says Stamp -  Monday Challenge; "H is for..." (hearts)
Word Art Wednesday -  Challenge #168; anything goes
Cute Card Thursday -  Challenge #358; "Stamping Mad"
Crafting Musketeers -  Challenge #22; "Cute"

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Thank you so much for visiting me & have a fantabulous day!