DCWV July Stackaholics Scrapbook Sketch Challenge

     This is actually a 2-page layout.  I used the DCWV sketch for the first page and made a second complimentary page for Fiskateers' Stars and Stripes Challenge.   I used DCWV Summer Dream Premium Stack on both pages.  I love embossing and sanding the white core paper for added texture, pattern and dimension.  I also love red, white and blue!
     If you're gonna see Gramma's house, you need to meet Gramma's boy!  This was taken when DGS Tiger was about 2 1/2.  He's now 15.  He probably wouldn't appreciate me posting this on the 'net, so I'm not going to tell him.  :o) 

And here's the two pages side-by-side.  This IS the way our grandchildren will remember Gramma and Papa's house.  No doubt!

DCWV June Stackaholic Scrapbook Sketch Challenge

I made this page using DCWV Kidlet Stack!  I love this stack for the grandkids!  This is our Andrew before he was ours.  He is our daughter's stepson and is 12-years-old now.  We didn't get to know him as a baby, but are enjoying him now!  He just came to live with his dad, so we are looking forward to more fun times with him, Tiger and Sequoia, as Papa would say, "Our favorite grandkids living in Salinas!"

DCWV June Scrapaholics Sketch Challenge

I think sketch challenges are among my favorite.  I so enjoy seeing how others interpret the same sketch.  DCWV has a monthly Stackaholics challenge that I have entered several times.  I decided to give it a go again, but actually use my long-ignored blog to post.  Maybe I can make a habit of that.  :o)  This is for the June card sketch, using DCWV Fun in the Sun Summer Glitter Stack. 

I love the way it turned out so much, I decided to use the same sketch to make a second card with some red, white and blue scraps.  #Fiskateers shape challenge for June is pinwheels.  I'm sure that's where the original idea in my head came from.  I die-cut the slightly wonky squares for the DCWV card, but used my Fiskars trimmer to cut squares for the red, white and blue.  Almost the same exact card, but so different with the different colors and patterns.  Such fun!  I do love paper and scissors and glue!

     Well, I haven't lived up to my plan to post regularly, but I couldn't pass on this one.  Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge Blog is hosting a Mother's Day Challenge.  See it here:  http://cheerylynndesignschallenge.blogspot.com/2013/04/cheery-lynn-designs-challenge-77.html
     I don't expect to win the challenge.  I just want to share how easy it is to make fun favors when you have great tools. 
     I recently posted a comment on a FB page that Cheery Lynn's Flourish Leaf Strip is my all time favorite die.  So detailed!  Cuts several at once!  It's just way cool!  Anyway, I used it for the Mother's Day favors for church that I have been working on this week.  The first two pictures show ones on which I used Cheery Lynn Designs Cutie 2 for the roses.  Fantastic!

I made many more, and I did use the CLD leaves on all of them.  However, I made other flowers just for variety.  The tag is made with Fiskars XXL Tag punch and a computer generated sentiment.  I covered wrapped Twix bars with a 1/4 sheet of a handmade paper that Costco sold about 5 years ago.  I finished the ends using my Fiskars Crimper and Fiskars pinking shears.  I hope the ladies at church enjoy them.  They were made with love.   

 

This is last year's pic, but this is what I've been working on this afternoon, more bottles of boos!  Those are marshmallow peeps in the bottles.  I wasn't planning to make any and gave away most of my frapuccino bottles, but had a request for more.  Son Bumper is running a large corn maze again this year, and these were a hit out there last year.  I think I'll also send a few to work with DIL Vicki for decorations at the vets' office where she works.  She's in a new office this year, so they won't have seen last year's stuff.  Pretty simple, but lots of grins!

     It has been so long since I posted anything on this blog, I decided to let the world, if anyone is looking, know that I am still alive. 
     Most of my projects of late, have been for the family or for challenges on Fiskateers.com/blog, my favorite place to play.  These are just a few of the more recent.
     I'm still battling pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, but may be winning at last.  My last two CT scans have shown slight improvements.  My specialist in Denver, CO--I live in CA--thinks I may be headed for remission!  I am most thankful, and praise God for His touch in my life. 

     Although the illness, and accompanying medications, consume a lot of energy, I am blessed to be able to give more time and energy to my family lately.  My primary responsibility has been the care of 2 1/2 year-old Sequoia.  What a delight she is!  She completely drains me, but she is so amazing, so much fun, that I could never complain!
     The projects posted today are just a random sampling of things I've done lately.  Lord willing, I'll get organized and post more often, maybe even with explanations.  No promises!  :o)

JustRite Friday Challenge #054

     It's been a while since I've posted, but JustRite Stampers' current challenge was too tempting.  The prize sounds wonderful, and the sketch looks like a fun challenge, especially for someone that never makes square cards!  It also gave me a chance to try out a technique I just learned, cut and fold.  I love double-sided paper, but always hate to use it on cards, because that usually means gluing down one beautiful side With this technique you can see both sides!  Love it!  So I had some fun on this one.  Hope you like it!