Look what I won!

Terra from Smeared and Smudged and Kelli from Cajun Stamping Queen did a "31 Days of Halloween" project together where they both created a project each day for Halloween. (see haunted house and bouncing pumpkin in the bar on the right side of my other blog: The Other Side of Char- for the links) They also offered a joint blog candy giveaway.
Guess who won! Me!!!
Here are a couple of photos of all of the goodies (can you say early Christmas lol):



Thanks you two! Be sure and check out their blogs. They are both very creative artist.

Sorry I Haven't Posted

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, but my Lupus has been giving me a rough time. Hopefully I am back on the road to recovery. It will be slow, but I'll be back. Thanks everyone for your kind prayers and well wishes.

Some good news I got today was that I won day 9's prize in Scrapbook Trends Halloween Spooktacular giveaway. Part of the prize is a 1-year digital subscription to the entire Northridge Media family of publications. I will have plenty of articles to read and think about while I am recovering. Good thing I bought a notebook computer that I can use in bed. I am on it right now as I write this. I will try to post something on at least one of my two blogs weekly from now on.

I will be back soon to post about a very kindhearted scrapbook company that has graciously donated supplies for my next beginner’s scrapbooking class. I will be back to teaching my classes hopefully by December. I can teach those even from a wheelchair. I want to post better about it when I have all of the information in front of me.

Unbelievable Giveaway

You are not going to believe this giveaway!!!
First: Priscillastyle is going to give you a chance to win your choice of either a Ribbon box or the ScrapMaBob from theoriginalscrapbox.com.

This part of the giveaway is taking place on October 12, 2009.
Second: that winner will be entered into the Grand Prize Giveaway-- a Workbox in their choice of color/style being given away by theoriginalscrapbox.com.

Workbox Grand Prize (worth $1295.00)
The Qualifier Contest runs from September 28-October 8, 2009.

What are you waiting for? Go check it out today and enter to win: Priscillastyles

Scraps 4 Fun's Sept Blog Candy

Lots of goodies from Scraps 4 Fun. Check it out here.

Blog Candy Everywhere

Look in the bar on the right side of my blog.
I have found lots of blog candy for you to try to win.
Don't forget to look at the entries with the photos below the link list.

Embossing Challenge

The challenge on Scrap and Stamp was to emboss something on your layout. The lion is embossed, so are the letters in the title. I also embossed a skull on the arrow pointing to the tail.

An Unbelievable Blog Candy Giveaway!

You are not going to believe this post, but it is for real. Steph over at Where’d All My Money Go?! is giving away a $150 gift certificate/card to your favorite place to shop as "Appreciation Blog Candy". She has reached over 25,000 blog hits and has over 100 folowers. Way to go Stephanie!
You have until Friday, August 28th at 10pm (central) to enter.
　

My Favorite Embossing File

Challenge #42 over on The Cuttlebug Spot has two requirements. One is to create a card with your favorite embossing folder. My favorite folder is Perfectly Paisley. This is almost like a card I did before, but I embellished more on this one:

Copic Colored Flower

The Pink Elephant Challenge # 26 is a recipe: 3 Brads,1 Flower and Designer Paper. I don't usually do recipe challenges because my cards tend to turn out rather plain then. With that said, I have posted my plain card above. Go easy on me. lol
I had colored the flower with Copic markers for the contest over at Crafty Goings On They are giving away a 72 Copic markers set as blog candy.
I chose a flower image because of A Spoon Full of Sugar's challenge #63 is Floral Fantasy. (make a card with something floral on it)

Halloween Card Number 1

Challenge #52 over at Ann's Creative Nook is to make a Halloween card, project or scrapbook with whatever types of Halloween images you have. Well, I love Halloween and could not wait to do this challenge.
Then I discovered that Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge # 7 was a Halloween theme card. It had to have these three things: the color purple, a zig zag, a pumpkin. Easy enough to include in my card, so I could do this challenge as well.
Now on Papertake Weekly the challenge was to use colors and/or things that are associate with a season. When I think of Fall, I think of Halloween with purple, orange and black.
With all three of these in mind, I completed the card above.

Lovely Surprise

I received a lovely surprise from my friend Jan today. She has given me "Thr Circle of Friends Award ", and I want to thank her for thinking and nominating me. I first met Jan on Jean Art Dolls, but we keep running into each other in other groups. We enjoy and participate in similar arts and crafts ventures, so our paths cross frequently. Jan is an extremely creative and talented artist that has been published in a variety of different magazines, so you may already know her name. You should check out her blog and become a follower so that you don‘t miss a thing she does: Papercraft Pleasures.Here are the rules for this award: To pick up the Circle of Friends Blog Award cut and paste the award logo and use it on your own blog. Nominate 5 other bloggers you feel have become part of your circle of friends. Link to your nominees within your blog post. Include these instructions on how to pick up the award in your blog post. Link back to the person who gave you the award in your blog post, to show your appreciation. Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received the award.
I'm giving this award to Marlene, Melody, Lou, Jackie and of course Cindy (who has been in a terrible car accident, and won't be able to collect her award until later).

Cuttlebug Challenge CBI #42

This week's challenge over at the Cuttlebug Challenge Blogspot was "to make a gatefold card, with your favorite cuttlebug folder, for National Friendship Week".
My favorite folder is Perfectly Paisley. I have a dear friend who just loves paisleys, so I made this card for her. (I hope she does visit my blog before she gets it). I don’t usually make gatefold cards, and this one is not my favorite. I think it still need something before I will be satisfied with it. Maybe a turquoise and black flower or something. If you have any ideas, feel free to post them.

Cuttlebug Challenge CBI #41

I am almost caught up with the challenges for this month.
Challenge #41 was to create a altered projects from items in your recycle bin.
This old and very stained cork coaster had seen its last use.


Using the D'vine Swirls embossing folder and some printed paper covered with packing tape (to make it water proof), it is now useable again.

Cuttlebug Challenge CBI #40

Last weeks challenge was a sketch. Here is my take on it:

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Happy Birthday Jessica

Okay, so I missed it by 15 minutes. Hope it was grand!

Here is a card for you:

Cuttlebug Challenge CBI #39

I am a little late posting this. It was for last week's challenge: create a woodsy outdoor project, using woodsy animals (except for snakes) using twigs, pebbles anything from nature. There was a color template too.

Mojo Monday Week 94 - Contest

It's Mojo Madness time over at Mojo Monday. Here is my take on the sketch for week 94.

Cuttlebug Challenge - Red, White and Blue

The first challenge for the month of July on the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog was to use the colors red, white, and blue; include some buttons and use the Swiss Dots embossing folder:
My image is a replica of a vintage 4th of July postcard.
I combined this challenge with Our Creative Corner's Red, White and Blue challenge and Charisma Cardz challenge #26 buttons.

SNR Card Universe "Oh Say Can You See" 4th of July Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on the SNR Card Universe "Oh Say Can You See" 4th of July Blog Hop. If you arrived here from Basic Jess you are on the right track! If you didn't you may want to hop on over to SNR Card Universe and start the hop at the beginning.

My project is all about being proud to be an American. The photo is from when I was in the United States Air Force. The paper/kit I used is "Washington DC" by Ducky's Designs.

Next on the hop is Change of Heart . Be sure to stop by there and visit.

Now about my blog candy. (Sorry, but I can only ship to a USA address.) I am calling it "Char's Red, White, and Blue Surprise Candy". I am not going to tell you what it is because it would not be a surprise then. I will tell you that it is several items in the same colors as our flag, and if you are a card maker and/or scrapper you will like it. So what do you have to do to be entered into this giveaway? Tell me where the last place you saw the American flag flying. That's it (other comments are appreciated). You have until noon this Monday to post. I will draw a name then, and announce it later on that day in a post.

'Oh Say Can You See' blog hop

Please join me this Saturday, July 4th, for the Scrapbook News and Review 'Oh Say Can You See' Blog Hop. I will be featuring a red, white and blue project and giving away some blog candy. Stop on in and enjoy the fun.

Friday Sketchers - Sketch 58

Here is my take on Friday Sketchers - Sketch 58:

Challenge Monday at Sisterhood of Scraps

The challenge this Monday over at Sisterhood of Scraps was to make two shapes on your layout. John receives an excellent in percussion.
Mom pulls hair out trying to make the miniature bass drum and cymbals. lol

Triple Duty

Pink Persimmon's Pink and Orange Challenge - These are not colors I normally put together, so it was a challenge indeed for me:I used this week's sketch from Friday Sketcher. It was just what I need to get the old mojo working again. I came across a new challenge blog called Pile It On where the objective is to do their challenge, and have it do double duty with at least one other challenge. So that is how this card is doing triple duty this week. Check out all three challenge blogs for fun challenges each week.

It's Been a While

I can't believe it is already June 6th. Time sure flies when you are not having fun. :( I haven't been posting for a while due to my health. I also had to step down from being on the DT at Jean's Art Dolls. It has been hard on me having to admit that I am now into the next stage of my Lupus. I tire easily, but I still try and complete at least one project a week. Cindy and Jean over at JADs would not hear of me retiring completely, and have made me an Honorary Designer for JADs. I hope to be able to contribute and share in the art experience over there often. If you have never been to Jean's Art Dolls, go check it out. It is a nurturing, non-threatening community for all kinds of artists who also do paper crafts. You will learn a lot just being around these talented artists. I will miss my daily stroll through the gallery there (talk about eye candy). Lots of love and encouragement in this group. Great place to let your wings spread and fly.

Friday Sketchers - Sketch 51

Friday Sketchers had an interesting and challenging sketch this week. Here is my take:

Goodies from Jan's challenge at Jean Art Dolls

Look at all of the goodies I won for Jan's Recycle, Re-use, Rethink challenge at Jean Art Dolls. You can't tell from the picture, but everything is sitting on top of a stack of 12" x 12" paper I won as well.Check out Jan's current challenge: Bring New Purpose To A Recycled Box.

Caardvarks Challenge - Card with a verse

Here is my entry for the newest challenge at Caardvarks which was to create a card incorporating a verse or quote:

Sketch Challenge and a Mother's Day Card

Here is my take on the sketch challenge to make a Mother's Day card over at A House of Cards this week:

I combined this with OCC's Mother's Day card challenge and Challenge #47 Dutch Dare - Mother's Day card,

Jennifer's Inspiration Cuttlebug Challenge

This card came out a little darker than I was planning on. Not my usual style either, but I like the butterfly. I made this for the Cuttlebug's Challenge Blogspot Inspiration from Jennifer to sand your dots and add color to them.
I used my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing folder. You can purchase the cuttlebug at a great prize from JoAnn's after using this coupon: 40% Off the Regular Price of One Item at Joann.com (Code: APRA940)
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Favorite Color Combo/Flowers from Showers/Butterflies

OCC's challenge this week was to use your favorite color combo. My favorite color is purple, and I love to combine different shades of it together in my projects.
Stamp Something’s challenge this week was to stamp something that has either showers or flowers or both. I decided to go with the old saying, "April showers bring May flowers".
GCA's challenge #38 was to have a butterfly somewhere on your card.


Coloring was done with PROGRESS WOODLESS COLOR PENCIL 12/SET and Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits 32 fl oz (Quart Can) .

Our Creative Corner - Recycling and Dutch Dare - Favorites

The challenge this week at OCC is to use recycled material (one of my favorite things to do) in your card. Paper crafting produces a lot of waste. That is why it is so important to recycle whenever you can. I made the flowers with the packaging from some scrapbook supplies. I thought the design was interesting, and the petals formed nicely. Not only is recycling packaging one of my favorite things to do, it is also one of my pet peeves. Those that know me have heard me say time after time to recycle. The Dutch Dare Card Challenge this week is to make a card using your favorite things. This card probably represents mine the best.: handmade embellishments, recycled packaging, Shasta daises, layered little delicate butterflies, Copic markers, hand stitched, multiple mats. With all of these things combined into one card, you know it was a real pleasure to make. I think I am going to make some more, especially with the flowers and butterflies.

Downloaded Image Colored with Copic Markers and Challenge 25 "FUN".

Charmed Cards & Crafts have teamed up with Graphics Direct Ltd to bring you a fantastic prize: 72 Copic markers.

Check it all out here.

I did this downloaded image in Copic markers, and hope to be the winner of the Copic Giveaway.

Challenge 25 over at Lili of the Valley Challenge Blog is FUN, so I hope adding this humorous saying my sister always said whenever one of us broke up with a boyfriend qualifies for their challenge as well.

"Happy Birthday" Tag

This week's challenge over at Tag, You're It is to make a "Happy Birthday" tag. I had a lot of fun making this simple tag, and I got to try something new, recycle something, and use my Copic markers.

The something new was glue rubons with a powdery coated sheet. That is how I did the party hat, candles, and Happy Birthday.
The recycled item was packaging from some paper craft item. I used the backing paper to make the petals of my flowers.
I used my Copic markers on the tiny butterfly. (To give you some idea of scale, the brads in the flowers above the butterfly are mini brads.)
I cut my butterfly out with my KNK. It was a large pattern, and I scaled it down to 1".

Creative Card Crew - Challenge 4 - Texture

I found a new challenge blog this week, Creative Card Crew. This week their challenge is to make a card with texture.

Mother's Day is not that far away, so I decided to make a spring flowers card out of yellow card stock. I cut the design in white on my KNK, and chalked the flowers and Mom in. The butterfly is made out of three pieces with the top wings out of vellum.

Colour Create - Week 9 Lilac and Blue

The challenge this week on Colour Create was to make a card using the colours lilac and blue. My mom loves these colors, so I made her a card:

Squigglefly is having a blog hop.

Squigglefly is having its first ever blog hop, and each of the DT members are giving away blog candy.

Black and White Thank You

I love the look of black and white cards. They seem to gain elegants just by being black and white. I made this card using the sketch from Caardvark's challenge. It is also for the Birthday Blog Bash Week 3's challenge.

Birthday Blog Bash Week 4

The challenge for week 4 over on Paper Garden Projects was to stamp a background. I did not have any background stamps, so I made up a collage instead with some similar stamps. I used my favorite technique, "Opalite Color Infusion" from the 2008 Feb/Mar Technique Junkies Newsletter. (I hope you aren't getting too tired of this technique because you will see it a lot here. lol)



I also wanted to tie this into another challenge I was doing over at Charisma Cardz. It was to make something using my favorite something. If you read my blog enough you know that I will sneak in this technique every chance I get. It just makes it so easy to blend the inks together. I am also addicted to Victorian reprints. I use them a lot too.

Stamp Something Think Spring Challenge

This week over at Stamp Something we were to create something that makes you think of spring. What could be more spring than a flower card for mom:This was my first art doll too. I used retro material from the 60's. By adding a tag to this card, I completed the challenge for One Stop Craft Challenge
this week of "Tag It". Because I put flowers on this card, it completes the challenge over at Paper Garden Projects Birthday Blog Bash Week #2

Some Bunny Loves You

I used card sketch #5 by Cindy over at Jean's Art Dolls to make this card.

I wanted to do something spring like for the Easter Blog Hop Challenge over at The Pink Elephant Challenge blog.

Spring Fever

This is a card I did for a challenge at MFTA: http://www.memoriesfromtheattic.com/

I used the opalite infusion technique to make the background.

Mother And Child

The theme this week over at Gothic Arches is Mother and Child.

It's All About the Party

This week's theme at Tag, You're It is tea time.

I remember how fun it was to have a tea party when I was a child. It really did not matter if it was tea or water, it was all about having the party.

Wild About You

The challenge this week over at Caardvarks is ---- all about the cRItTeRs! I think Changito qualifies as one.
This is the first time I inked this stamp up. I have had it for a while. I think JoAnn carried it, but I did not find it on line today when I searched. You will have to check your local store for it. It is by Stampendous, and is part of the "Changito Dos" set. I fell in love with the little monkey and just had to have it.

Paper Garden Projects is having a Birthday Blog Bash. Challenge #1 is to make a humorous card. All of the Changito stamps crack me up. What is even funnier is the fact that I don't really care for monkeys. I still don't see what the sock monkey has going for it. I know, shocking isn't it.

Winnings from Card Sketch Challenge

Look at all of the neat stuff I won from Cindy's Card Sketch Challenge #3. She posts one every weekend over on JADs. Check out her latest sketch here.

Male Birthday Card

This card is doing triple duty.

I needed a card for my son's birthday. (I don't think he checks out my blog. If so, "STOP LOOKIN JOHN!")


Anyway, on Charisma Cardz they have a weekly challenge on Thursday.
This week is Challenge #10 Something For the Guys

I used the card sketch from challenge #4 on Jean Art Dolls to create it.

Cindy has a sketch challenge posted every weekend on JADs.

Gothic Arches - Fantasy

This week's theme over at Gothic Arches is "Fantasy". I figured since nothing was real on my arch that I would use the fake wood background paper I made.

My Craftifity Color Challenge

Crystal Jeffrey Rieger has a color challenge this month that relates to this month's Color Swatch column in Memory Makers (March/April Issue, pg 20). I don't usually do color challenges, but the colors clicked with an image I had for a pocket card.