Sunday, May 30, 2010

Miss You!

While hopping along on the Operation Write Home Blog Hop, I came across this adorable eaglet digi drawn by OWH's president, Sandy. You can find the complete (absolutely *adorable*) set here! I used (or misused, as the case may be... I didn't make my eagle quite small enough!) a sketch from the OWH Stars & Stamps blog for this card. My eaglet was colored with copics. Have you started on the hop yet?? Better hurry! There are a *LOT* of blogs!!!

Blessings!

Tricia

Saturday, May 29, 2010

OWH Memorial Day Hop... Missing You!


What an exciting day! I get to honor our military heros by participating in the Operation Write Home blog hop! If you didn't come by way of Tereza's blog you can start at the top of the hop over at the Operation Write Home blog, Stars and Stamps. From what I've heard, there are around 135 blogs participating. So make yourself a cup of coffee or a rootbeer float and enjoy some Patriotic Inspiration!



Our mission today was to make a "Miss You" card for one of our heros to send to a loved one back home. My card uses the adorable free digi set - "Kolar Remembers" - illustrated by my daughter, K. Joy, from Splashes of Joy. Be *sure* to stop by her blog on the hop and see how you can get your free digi!! Wouldn't this be a fun card for a child to get from a Mom or Dad who's on active service? It would be just as appreciated if it was sent *to* one of our soldiers as an "Any Hero" letter. What's an Any Hero letter? Well, along with each batch of cards that OWH sends to the soldiers, they include letters of thanks that can be given to "any hero" that needs some encouragement, or doesn't get much mail from home. Isn't that wonderful?? Here's some ideas on what to say in an Any Hero card from some children that have written them for school projects. They're just precious!

Learning about Any Hero Letters

I personally have a brother who is an officer in the Air Force and a nephew who is also in the Air Force, as well as a son who is looking forward to joining the Marines after he graduates from High School. My goal is to get involved with Operation Write Home now, just as I would like others to do when *my* son is deployed!!

Now it's time to head to Judy's blog for some more inspiration!!! And don't forget to pick up your free digi from Splashes of Joy while you're out and about hopping! When you're all done I hope you'll find time to write an Any Hero Letter and make a card or two for Operation Write Home!! Edited to add: I don't see a link at the next stop on the hop. After Judy's blog you'll want to head to see Nora at http://merrysmix.blogspot.com/ !

Blessings!

Tricia


Friday, May 28, 2010

Paper Garden Frilly & Feminine Challenge!

Hi gals! Has this month gone as quickly and been as busy for you as it has for me? I honestly haven't known what day it was for most of the week!! As a matter of fact, I actually posted my card for the Paper Garden Fourth Friday Challenge *last* Friday!! So you've had a whole week to think about it, cuz it really isn't supposed to be until today. LOL!

For my frilly & feminine card I used the free Tulip digi from the Paper Garden store, along with some Prism cardstock, Pink Paislee 365 paper, half-pearls, and the Flourishes "Taglines" set. The pretty ribbon was in my stash from my LSS.

Be sure to stop by the Paper Garden Blog and see all the inspiration, or go on a mini blog hop using the Paper Garden DT links on my sidebar. You'll love all the projects & I'm sure you'll be inspired to make a card for the challenge yourself!!

BTW - I'll be participating in the Operation Write Home blog hop tomorrow and I have something *very* special to share! Be sure to stop back!!

Blessings!

Tricia

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Pretty Cute

I just realized that I hadn't shown you these Sweet n Sassy cards with some of the new Clear Stamp images on them!! The top card was for yesterday's sketch challenge on SCS. I used the *gorgeous* new Poppies and Greetings set that will be released on June 1st. AND we're having a blog hop. AND we're having a release party. You won't want to miss it!!

My second card was for today's digi day challenge on SNR - "Patterns Galore" and I used today's Stamp TV sketch. The cute Cocoa Mouse stamp is from the new Sweet n Sassy clear set "So Sweet Cocoa". The sentiment is from a Gina K set "How Sweet it is". I must have a thing with sweets!!! :-) If you have a minute, we'd love for you to join our digi day challenge! You can earn a free digi just by making a card! :-)

See you tomorrow for the Paper Garden Projects Fourth Friday Challenge!

Blessings!

Tricia

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Deedee's Digis Praise Challenge

Deedee's Digis is having a challenge on their blog to make a card with a praise Scripture verse. She's even giving away a free digi if you don't have one to use! I used the cup from Deedee's Cup of Joy set and a verse from the Glorify the Lord set, along with some October Afternoon dp, some ribbon and some Chino half pearls from Paper Garden Projects.

Before you go, I have a digital stamping tip to share. :-) One of the things that has frustrated me with digital stamps is that while I usually print them on white cardstock, sometimes they would match my dp better if they'd been printed on vanilla. Well, today I found a wonderful way to make them match. I simply colored the sentiment circle with my E41 marker and voila! it looks like I stamped on vanilla. :-) It makes me happy!

Drop by Deedee's blog if you get a chance!!

Blessings!

Tricia

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Summer Poppies

Remember my purple poppies the other day? Here's the same image, but this time it isn't a digi! This is one of the sets that Sweet 'n Sassy will be releasing in clear stamps on June 1st! Yay!!!! You will *love* the sentiments in this set. Definitely a must have!! Be sure to stop by for our blog hop on the 1st & join us for our release party, too!!!

I made my card for two Splitcoast challenges - Clean & Simple (Summer) and Color Challenge (Kraft, Red, Bermuda w/ a twist of notebook paper) It's colored with copics and made sparkly with a spica pen. The pretty red ribbon is from Paper Garden Projects.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings!

Tricia

Monday, May 24, 2010

My Favorite Things Giveaway WINNERS!!!

It's time to choose the winners! I wish I could send each and every one of you something. I feel like you are all dear friends!! I appreciate you taking the time to stop by my corner of the world!!!

OK...DRUM ROLL, PLEASE!!! The winners were chosen by Random.KJoy... as pictured above!! :-)

And the winners are...









Congratulations, ladies!!! I'll be sending you an email shortly!!

Blessings to you all! I hope to have a card to share later today!

Tricia

Early Christmas Exchange Received!

Look what I received this last week!! What a fun thing to come home to when you've been out of town! April stitched me this beautiful Christmas Tree ornament on pretty sparkly fabric. It's adorable! I love it, April!! Thank you!!

I'll be choosing the winners of my blog candy later this morning. I'm in "catch up" mode right now from being gone!! :-)

Blessings!

Tricia

Friday, May 21, 2010

Fourth Friday Challenge!


It's time for this month's Fourth Friday Fun Challenge over on the Paper Garden Projects Blog!! This month is all about being frilly and feminine, so I worked on making a pretty pink card with some Prism cardstock and Pink Paislee designer paper from the Hearts Bloom Paper Kit. My adorable little hedgehog is from the Penny Black set "wonderful day". Can't say that I like the clouds much, but it was my third attempt at coloring an image for this card and I finally gave up and called it good. Some days are just like that!!! :-)

We'd love to have you play along with our challenge. We even have a fun Kraftin' Kimmie stamp up for grabs as the prize!!

By the way, have you entered my giveaway yet?? Only a few more days until I draw the winners!! :-)

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings!

Tricia

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Slow & Steady!

I had a lot of fun making this card for Sweet 'n Sassy's Digi Day today! I had this fun Kaisercraft LaDiDa paper with the flowers and the border, and after I colored the Snail & Friends image he fit just perfectly!!! The sentiment is from the set Serve in Love, and I absolutely adore the font it is in! I do hope Korin will make more sentiment sets in this font!!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you'll be able to make an "outdoors" card and join us over on SNR or PCP. We have all sorts of fun, and you can get a free image if you make a card today!

See you there!

Tricia

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

So Saffron

Have you ever colored an image to go with a certain piece of designer paper and then *totally* changed your plan after you got it colored? This was one of those cards! Things just didn't flow and I kept making mistakes... but I really like the end result so I'm glad I didn't just throw it away! :-)

Have you all signed up for my blog candy yet?? Random.Katlyn (my dd!) will be picking names out of a hat on Monday, so everyone has an equal chance. Don't you hate being the first to comment when Random.org is picking? You just *know* you won't get it!!

Have a restful day!

Blessings!

Tricia

The "must have" product on this card is the Boho Blossoms punch from SU. I love the little paper flowers that it makes in whatever color you need in order to cover up the fingerprint you just put on the front of your card when it was all done.


Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Blue and Green Bits & Bobs

Here's a quick card using "bits & bobs" of different K & Co designer paper, some Prism cardstock and an older SU image and TAC sentiment. I am amazed at how many stamps I hoard but never take time to use. Some of these older SU ones are *so fun* to color now that I have Copics!! And the nestibility dies really make them look up to date. Makes me wish I hadn't gotten rid of some of my older sets!!

Do you have any favorite "old" sets that you just loved? I'd love to see you make a new card with them. They just may become a favorite again!!

Blessings!

Tricia

Monday, May 17, 2010

Purple Poppies

I just love how this card turned out! I colored the Poppies digi from Sweet 'n Sassy in purples and olive and matted it on some purple cardstock that I made to look "distressed" with stitching and sponging. The verse is from the digi set Amazing Grace. It's cut with my Antique decorative scissors to look like it was torn, and it's distressed too. I inked up half of a cuttlebug folder with olive ink, and then used the reverse side as the base of my card. The ribbon is from Clear Dollar. I used the opposite side of the satin, so it would look muted and not shiny.

I'm not exactly sure this qualifies for shabby chic for today's CAS challenge, but I think I'm going to enter it... It has the torn edges, and the distressing... just not the really light colors. It's "vintage", at least!! :-)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Blessings!

Tricia

Deedee's Digis BlogHop Winner!!

Good morning, Ladies!!!

Thank you all so much for stopping by my blog during the Deedee's Digis bloghop! What fun to help a friend!! The winner of the free digi from my blog is....


DANA!!!

who said...

Gorgous Tricia! I just love the shading around your bear. It is so soft and muted. I love how it makes the whole card pop. Thanks for sharing.

Let me know your email address and digi of choice from Deedee's Store. Now I'm off to make a Deedee's digi card or two myself! :-)


Blessings!


Tricia


Springy Birthday Greetings

I love to dig through my patterned paper box to see what goodies I can unearth. For example, I had these scraps of guava and river rock dp left over from a few years back, and they were just *perfect* for the Sweet 'n Sassy Flower Jar image that I had colored and cut out with a Labels 8 die. My card is actually a 6 x 6 piece of cardstock folded in half to make a 3 x 6 card. I really like the size, which is why you see it here every so often. It's sort of a miniature tall & skinny card. :-) I used one of the Feminine Birthday greetings and cut it into a banner shape to fill in the space below the little bow made with gold cord, then topped it off with the lace doily punch to make a sweet and simple birthday card. I have gobs of spring birthdays on my list!

Thanks so much for dropping by today! If you have time to make a 3 x 6 card, I'd love to see it!!

Blessings!

Tricia

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Grads, Dads & Lads Blog Hop



Hello friends! And welcome to the Paper Garden Projects Lads, Dads and Grads Garden Walk!! There have been some stunning cards and projects today!! (This is my second post today, you can scroll down for the Clear Dollar Stamps digital release!!)

My focus for todays Garden Walk is on the graduates in our lives. It seems that every year I need a quick graduation card for someone that I forgot was graduating. LOL! Does that ever happen to you? So I was thrilled to see this adorable Library Mouse by the Greeting Farm in the Paper Garden Projects store. Isn't he wonderful? And he makes the perfect quick card for any graduate from kindergarten to college - and for guys or gals!! For today's card, I colored my image with Copics and then paper pieced the mouse's vest with some Pink Paislee 365 dp. By using a clean and simple layout I made a mailable card in a matter of minutes, which comes in handy when you forget, doesn't it!! :-) Here's my simplified sketch. I'd love to see your cards if you happen to use it!

Remember to subscribe to each Gardener's blog as you walk through (oh, and be sure to check out my blog candy post while you're at it!!), and take note of each designer's name and their special garden walk word in their blog post. My word is "Grads"!!

Then, when you're finished, send an E-mail to custserv@papergardenprojects.com with the list of designers and their garden walk word to 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 Tuesday, May18 to send your list.

And the prize? How about these cute little lads from Eat Cake Graphics!!

Thanks for stopping by!! I hope you enjoy the tour (feel free to bring along a lad, Dad or Grad!). Here is the guide list in case you get lost... :-)


Blessings!

Tricia

New Digis Today!!

Clear Dollar Stamps has some new digital stamp sets being released today!! How fun! This little Raccoon Friends digi made me laugh, because I immediately saw that I could make one of the raccoons into a skunk with a little creative coloring. :-) Doesn't that make the sentiment funny?? :-) I used lots of the new Clearly Coordinating cardstock and some of the new ribbon, too. I'm just loving it!!

My second card uses the FREE Strawberry digi. You *have to* get this! Doesn't it look good enough to eat?? Mmmmm.... makes my mouth water!!

Be sure to stop by Lori's blog to see the other digi sets that are available today. And thanks for stopping by! OH! By the way! Don't forget to check out my blog candy while you're here!

Have a wonderful day!

Tricia

Friday, May 14, 2010

Deedee's Digis BlogHop!!

Welcome to

Deedee's Digis Grand Opening Blog Hop!!!

In the wake of her husband's unemployment, our stamping sister Deedee Anderson is answering God's call to support her family by starting her own digi store. You may recognize some of the designs from her work with Sweet 'n Sassy, but if you hop through to her store (http://www.deedeesdigis.blogspot.com)

you'll find some new designs as well!! Be sure to leave a comment by Sunday night at each of the blogs along the hop because each of us will be giving a free digi of your choice to someone who comments on our blogs! And those of you who leave comments at Deedees store will be entered into a drawing for a $20 gift certificate to the store. How fun!!

My card uses the adorable digi set "Leave Me Smiling". Isn't it fun to see a fall card in the middle of spring?? I love fall!! I colored my image with copics and used lots of earth tone cardstock, dp and buttons.

Now, be sure to leave a comment - maybe tell me your favorite of Deedee's digis! - and then off you go! Have fun hopping!!! (Oh! And BTW... I'm have a blog candy giveaway! Feel free to check that out while you're here!)

Here's the list of designers, in case you're just starting out...


  • Ceal


  • Darsie


  • Janette


  • Kim


  • Korin


  • Leah


  • Lisa


  • Lorie


  • Micki


  • Nancy


  • Nicole


  • Sandy


  • Tricia


  • Crafting With Deedee's Digis

  • Thursday, May 13, 2010

    Lilacs for Cocoa!

    Hello friends! Have you signed up for my blog candy yet?? You can find that post here. I am starting the busiest week of the year at my house. The one that leads up to having a booth for GraceWorks at the Wisconsin Homeschool Convention next Thursday through Saturday. It also happens to be the week that I have two blog hops and about 15 cards to make. :-) So, my cards will be simple and my posts short. I hope you don't mind!!

    Today's card is for Sweet 'n Sassy digi day at SNR and PGP. Our theme for the day is "In the Garden" and there are two sweet digis that you can get for participating today! (And one is a *Cocoa* digi!!! Don't miss it!!) I used the Cocoa in the Lilacs digi and one of my go-to layouts for the card, as well as some dp from one of the Debbie Mumm mat stacks that I'd gotten. The ribbon and matting cardstock are from CDS' Clearly Coordinating Collection. So pretty!

    BTW, have you heard that Sweet 'n Sassy is going to be bringing back some clear stamps???? Isn't that fantastic??? Be sure to drop by the SNSS shop and sign up for the newsletter, so you'll be "in the know"!! :-)

    I hope you'll have a chance to play along today!!

    Blessings!

    Tricia

    Wednesday, May 12, 2010

    My Favorite Things Giveaway!!

    Hello friends!

    It's time for a giveaway!! In honor of the 100 or so of you that are "following" this blog, I decided to do two different "candies" that cover my two favorite things... stamping & cross-stitch. You're welcome to be in the drawing for one or for both. :-) Here's what you could win...

    Stamping Blog Candy...

    This includes some of my favorite stamping things...

    A Birds & Swirls Cuttlebug folder
    A K & Co Mat Pack (which you may only get if I *hide it* until it's time for the drawing. I love it!)
    The CDS Moose Wishes Stamp Set... my all-time favorite!!!
    and some of CDS' new Clearly Coordinating ribbon... which coordinates beautifully with the mat pack.

    And the Cross Stitch Blog Candy...

    A pattern from one of my favorite designers... Little House Needleworks - including the Crescent Colors threads (aren't they pretty!!!)

    and one of the fabulous XSOR scissors that I found a few months ago... and now have 3 pairs of!! :-) Oh, and of course, a Lindt Chocolate ball. :-)

    TO ENTER:
    Just leave a comment on this post with which candy you would like to win. If you would like to become a follower or post in on your blog, feel free. I'll even give you an extra chance in the candy of your choice if you do, but don't feel obligated!

    I'll take comments through midnight on Saturday the 22nd and then cut them all apart and pull the winners from a hat on Monday, the 24th, right before I announce them here on my blog. Thank you SO much for stopping by and for all your sweet comments! Good Luck!!

    Blessings,

    Tricia


    Saturday, May 08, 2010

    Cross Stitch Weekend WrapUp

    I have a fun finish or two to show you today. :-) First, a little crushed walnut shell stuffed pin pillow for my blogging friend Carol, who let me stitch her Secret Flower Bed chart. The pattern I used is from a Prairie Schooler booklet called Welcome Spring. The linen is unknown, and I stitched it in a mixture of DMC and overdyed floss from my stash. I'm *so* glad she liked it!!

    Next is a Prairie Schooler ornament that I stitched for the Early Christmas Ornament exchange that I'm participating in. I hope it's been received by now and that my partner likes it!!

    I'm still working on putting together a fun blog candy for all my followers. Stay tuned!! :-)

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Blessings!

    Tricia

    Friday, May 07, 2010

    My Notebook


    Today's Clearly Inspired Challenge is to make a card or project with flowers. I really needed to dress up the plain binder that holds my new Bible Reading Schedule and Journal from GraceWorks. So... I stamped some deep green textured cardstock with a plume from the CDS Plumes and Blooms set as my base. Then I made a mat with some older TAC dp, some cardstock, some stitching and some of the Peach Taffy ribbon from Clear Dollar Stamps' Clearly Coordinating Collection. My focal image is the geranium from the set Jesus Paid it All, and the words are from Pretty Little Scriptures. I watercolored the geraniums and I'm not exactly thrilled with how they turned out, but they *do* look better in real life! :-) It is amazing how enjoyable it is to have a pretty binder to write in in the morning!!
    Here's the whole front cover...

    Thanks for looking! I hope you'll play along with the challenge!

    Blessings!

    Tricia


    Thursday, May 06, 2010

    Poppies

    Hello again!

    I combined the SNSS digi day challenge to use lace with the SCS Ways to Use it Challenge to use pins, and came up with this card that features the new Sweet 'n Sassy digi called Poppies. I wish you could the the shimmer on the poppies from the Spica pen. It's so pretty. Sigh! :-)

    Thanks for stopping by today!

    Blessings!

    Tricia

    Wednesday, May 05, 2010

    Big Egg Birdie

    Laurie from Doodle Pantry is sponsoring another Monthly Challenge on her blog today! Yay! This month the challenge is to use the colors blue and green and just wait til you see the images she's drawn!! Adorable!!

    I colored my "Big Egg Birdie" with copics and added some clear spica pen to her cheeks and the egg... which unfortunately you can't see in the picture. I used our newest Cuttlebug folder because it has birds on it. I thought it was appropriate!! :-)

    If I ever don't leave enough info on the ingredients to my card, feel free to ask me in a comment. I just don't want to bore you to death, and in all honesty, most of the papers and such are from my stash and I don't always remember what they are!!! :-)

    I hope you'll join us over at Clearly Delightful for the challenge!!

    Blessings,

    Tricia


    Tuesday, May 04, 2010

    Just a Note

    Yay! Today is color challenge day on SplitCoast! I like color challenges... although some are more challenging than others! LOL! Today the colors are Gable Green, Cameo Coral and Lovely Lilac, and I just so happened to have some Kaisercraft dp that had those very colors in it. I love it when that happens! I colored up Write Soon Cocoa with copics and printed out a sentiment from A Note for You - both from Sweet 'n Sassy. I ran the sentiment and the coral panel through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots Folder. One with raised dots coming to the front and the other with the raised dots going to the back. I really like that look. I added a little Budding Lilac ribbon, a few micro brads and finished off the look with a spiral punched border.

    Thanks for stopping by!

    OH - by the way... I just noticed that my followers have hit 100!! Wow! Bless your hearts! So... I'm going to start putting together a blog candy for my sweet readers. I'm going to have a few options I think - one for stitchers, since I know some of you come for the cross stitching posts, and another for those of you who enjoy cardmaking. You'll be able to sign up for one or both. It will take me a little bit to get it together, so you might want to keep checking in, so you don't miss it!!

    Blessings!

    Tricia

    Monday, May 03, 2010

    Take Care!!

    I was so excited to use this new Penny Black set from Paper Garden today! You know how much I love the little Penny Black critters!! This set is called Wonderful Day and it's chock full of adorable hedgies, ladybugs, bees and butterflies. What fun! Plus I have some new dp to work with ... Pink Paislee 365˚- and I found that the Mojo Monday sketch for this week was perfect for showing it off. Not too fancy on the card... I colored the hedgie with copics, added some stickles to the flower, and sponged and stitched the edges. The sentiment is from a beautiful Flourishes set that I also got from Paper Garden called Taglines.

    Thanks for stopping by today!

    Blessings!

    Tricia

    Sunday, May 02, 2010

    Sew Happy Cocoa

    Hello friends! I'm "sew" happy to let you know that I'll be sticking around on the Sweet n' Sassy digi team for awhile longer. Isn't that fun??? I'll have lots more Cocoa cards to show you - oh, and other Sweet 'n Sassy digis, too, of course!!

    I made today's card to send to a friend who enjoys sewing. Isn't it perfect? The digi is Sew Happy Cocoa and the sentiment is from Sew Many Thoughts. I hope to be able to play in some challenges this week, cuz I'm noticing that all my layouts are starting to look the same. I think I'm in a rut. Ever get that way?? I found some old stamp catalogues the other day, too, so maybe I'll find some old cards to case. Fun, fun!!

    Have a wonderful week!!

    Blessings!

    Tricia

    Saturday, May 01, 2010

    Cross Stitch Weekend WrapUp

    I put the last few stitches into my Secret Flower Bed this morning. The buttons aren't on yet, but I think I'll wait until I decide how I want to finish it. I'm leaning toward a pin pillow of some sort, but I may give in and frame it. It is *so* precious!!

    Other than that I finished my ornament for the Early Christmas Ornament exchange and have it all packaged up to mail... but I can't show you that yet. And I kitted up a *really* quick little project that I need to finish for a friend this week.

    This afternoon the plan is to watch Jane Austen's Persuasion for many hours (It's the old one...) and maybe stitch on my dd's stocking. It sort of got pushed to the side these last two weeks! :-)

    Have a lovely weekend!

    Blessings,

    Tricia