CCEE: BBQ Grillin' time!

Hi friends!

I'm still grillin' and the bbq'ing continues!

Although I'm vegetarian,

 there's been a lot of hamburger on my blog this week :D

The new challenge this week at the CCEE Stampers 

our last challenge for May from our hostess, Frances.

Sadly, we have had a sad loss this week with our CCEE DT friend, Joanne.

She passed away unexpectedly on Saturday morning

and was much loved by the stamping community.

I am certain her family would love a prayer of support 

as she will be dearly missed by many. 

Frances has chosen a fun theme this week!

May is apparently Barbecue Month and the 28th May is Hamburger Day….

 Let's think BBQ's and/or Hamburgers when creating our cards this week.

For today's fun card, I used Art Impressions Grill Father.

This was gifted to me quite some time ago from a dear friend

and it's sat in a little folder - until now!

It was fun to color it up and create a fun card for my daughter's Father-in-Law.

Don't tell him ......

but it looks just like him!

Right down to the socks and light blue guayabera :) 

He is truly one of the kindest and beautiful souls I've encountered.

When I met him for the first time,

it was actually in an emergency situation

and we met in the middle of the road in front of their home.

My driver's window rolled down, his driver's window rolled down,

we waved and introduced ourselves and he said to me ...

because the words still ring in my ears ...

"See behind you?"

I looked and nodded.

"That's your house."

I nodded again, a little surprised.

"Mi casa es siempre tu casa!"

(my house is your house, always!)

 Ah! Makes me teary eyed just remembering!

It's an unusual way to meet someone for the first time,

but it always reminds me of how unique people can be/meet :)

I returned the favor the first time they came to our home for dinner ~

opening our door to his/wife's huge hugs and welcoming smiles.

I simply said ..

"Welcome home!"

Back to my card!

↓

I've created a clean and simple card ~

colored with my prismacolor markers and set onto a solid base of designer paper.

I won't be giving this card to the FIL directly,

I'll let my daughter give it to him - from her! :) 

If you head over to the CCEE Stampers challenge blog,

you can link up your hamburger/grilling cards, too!

You'll also see the amazing cards from the DT - they are delightful!

Thanks for stopping by!

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

I'll enter my card into:  Cute Card Thursday - masculine!

CYS: Happy National Hamburger Day!

 Hi friends!

Today is National Hamburger Day!

 

 

  

The wonderful thing about summer is ...... grilling outdoors!

We're pretty lucky that we get to grill year round here in South Florida ~

which is good since I LOVE fruits and vegetables on the grill!!

My husband and son-in-law know the way to my heart

is with Starbucks

is with fresh vegetables like squash, eggplant, zucchini and asparagus 

grilled 'til it's pipping hot!

I won't actually partake in hamburger day literally,

I'm happy to get a card created for the CYS card challenge group!

The theme, from our hostess Jeanette, is

 include a hamburger or some other food on your card.

Oh boy!

I had to search and search through my stash for anything hamburger

related and even missed it on my first run through. 

Alas, I remembered my Newton's Nook 'Winston's BBQ' stamp set 

from my guest designer spot and it has ......

a hamburger!

↓

Even better ........

my son-in-laws Father's Day card is now complete!

I'm pretty sure he doesn't read my blog, tee hee!

but just in case, I won't spoil the inside of my card - yet :)

This theme must be popular ~

you'll see it twice this week on my blog for card challenges.

Stay tuned later this week for more hamburger/grilling fun! 

 Thanks for stopping by!

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥ 

~Kelly 

TPB: Happy Memorial Day!

Hello friends!

  

It's the Memorial Day holiday here in the USA,

a day here in the USA in which we remember those that gave 

the ultimate sacrifice in the military service.

It was an honor growing up in an Air Force family

 and this day is one of the few that is very humbling.

 

Later today, my son and some of his Boy Scout troop mates

will be placing flags on the graves of fallen soliders at a local cemetary.

They'll be flanked by members of the US Marines

who stand as wonderful role models of leadership and duty!

  

Today I'm up on The Project Bin blog

and I'm showcasing a card using one of my FAVORITE stamp sets from TPB ~

Red, White and Boom!

This set is traditionally one we've used for the 4th of July/

USA's Independence Day,

but today, I'm showing another way to use this set :)

I've paired with the My Favorite Things Peek-a-boo striped die 

(you've probably seen this one my blog many times!)

and I've used alternating blue and red card stock to push through the slots.

The stamp I used from the set is

 America the beautiful ~ masked off to use just the top portion.

Here's a another look:

Wishing you a day of reflection and remembrance :) 

I hope if it's a holiday for you, 

that you're able to do something wonderful!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

CCEE1921: Use a die!

 Hi friends!  

Thankfully, school is almost out and I could not be more grateful for summer :)

As soon as I rise, it's go-go-go with last semester drama shows,

scout events, church and volunteer work ...

and a wee little grand-daughter that loves her "Oma" so very much

that captives so much of my attention each day! ♥

Most nights, I stiffle a yawn and rub my eyes like a tired babe

and finally fall fast and soundly asleep the minute my head hits the pillow!

Somewhere in between all of this, I try to make a card :)

Today's card is for the CCEE Stampers newest challenge:  Use a die!

Frances is our hostess and states most of her card creations

are rarely without using some sort of die cut on her cards.

 This week, she wants us to create a card using a die somewhere on it.

Easy peasy!

 For my floral card today, I've used two!

I love flower images previously signed up 

for the Technique Tuesday Greenhouse Society stamp and die collection.

It's a fun, monthly stamp program and it's like getting a surprise each month!

This is the April 2019 stamp, Meadow Flowers 

and I just adored this one.

Meadow Flowers

 The two dies that I've used are the MFT Stitched Rectangle dies

and Avery Elle Wonky frames.

The beautiful Meadow Flowers does have a matching die,

but this one isn't using a die :) 

I've colored this with my Zig Markers and Signo White pen

and one of my favorite parts of this card:  The big dot embossing folder.

Thank you for your sweet and wonderful words you leave on my blog,

and sharing this creative connection with each of you really warms my heart! 

Please be sure to stop in the CCEE Stampers blog to:

1. Link up your cards using a die!

2.  See all the gorgeous cards from the Design Team this week :)

 Thanks so much for stopping by!

Big hugs, bigger blessings!
~Kelly

TPB: One for the dads :)

Good Morning, friends!

I hope your weekend was marvelous!

My son had his big theater group banquet and dance,

and they were dressed so classy, ate, danced, and had a super time!

Me: "How was it!  Was it super duper fun?  Did you dance?

How was the buffet - yummy?  Were your friends there?  

What was your favorite part?!!!"

Him:  "the food."

Such.  a.  boy!

Speaking of one for the boys,
Father's Day is coming up next month.
The Project Bin has a perfect stamp set to get you started 
creating those perfect masculine cards.

For my card today, I've used Classic Man ↓ 
 I stamped the image right onto the faux newsprint
and the matching sentiment. 

“Always focus on the front windshield and not the review mirror.”
― Colin Powell 

 Thanks for stopping by today!
Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥
~Kelly 

CCEE1920 ~ It's a Pizza Party!

Yes, friends, we're having a pizza party!

According to Frances, the hostess for this week's CCEE Challenge, 

tomorrow is National Pizza Day.

And can I just say ......... I love me some pizza!  

The challenge at the CCEE Stampers is to create a card

that features pizza or some other food item on it.

Since I only have one pizza stamp,

and it's been showcased a couple of times on my blog,

I thought .....

let's bring dessert!

My card features ice cream

and a really, really cute puppy ♥

I've used Summer Henry from CC Designs Stamps

and kept my card style pretty simple.

Friday nights in our home are usually reserced for pizza ~

and we follow it up with ice cream and shakes.

Nom Nom!

You can see all of the Design Team cards here on the blog,

as well as the linky to add your card to the pizza party!

 I'll be serving the dessert :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Big hugs, bigger blessings!

~Kelly

RSG: Music from the 70's!

 

 Hello again!

 

This is my 2nd post for today ~

and I'm singing!

Slightly off-key, as I usually do :) 

It's time for a new challenge with the card group:  Ready, Set, Go!

It's a challenge that Barb, Jeanette and I started 2 years ago ...

almost to the day!

It's a card challenge ~ kicked up a notch or two.

 

I was the hostess this month and chose a theme of:

 Time Capsule: Music from the 70's!

 

 

Time Capsule!

This month, we are taking a step back into the glorious 1970s! 

In a time where hair was defined by icons like Farrah Fawcett and bell bottoms were all the rage, and bicycles had banana seats and candies like mary janes and bottle caps were favored, and the average of a new house cost $23,400!

The 1970s was an era of eclectic style and music. It was considered to be a golden age for vinyl records and Sony Walkman permanently changed the music game!

So turn back the radio dial and hear ONE SONG on the radio. Who's voice do you hear?

Create a card with that song AND artist in mind ~ using the song title/song lyrics to create a card for the May 2019 RSG.

For the extra challenge, use one element on your card described in the song (i.e., dice, pink flower, blue sky, etc - you get the idea!)

 

 

 Growing up, we heard a lot of country music and radio music ~

from George Straight, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline all the way to

 Creedence Clearwater Revival to Grateful Dead!

My dad like a little bit of rock n roll and a whole lotta country!

 

One of those country artists we'd hear often was none other than Glen Campbell!

Rhinestone Cowboy was a very popular song.

Even today, 

on that rare occasion that it pops on a station that plays 'oldies but goodies' 

I sing along!

Albeit slightly off-key :)

 

 

I thought it would be fun to ink up Saddle Up and Celebrate from

My Favorite Things stamps and create my Rhinestone Cowboy card.

I've even used the paper pack from their recent retirement sale,

and dies that were already in my craft supplies from past MFT purchases.

And the addition of the rhinestones was a nod to the song!

 

This was a fun card to make!

It made even better using the sketch from the challenge

today at Splitcoaststampers. 

 

 You can see Barb's card here

and Jeanette's card here.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by today!

Big hugs, bigger blessings!
~Kelly 

DDD: Hit the open road!

 

Hello friends!

In just a few more weeks, summer will be upon us.

School is almost out here and I'm counting. down. the. days!

 

For many, summer means a time for traveling and hitting the open road, 

enjoying the warm and wonderful weather.

While we are fortunate here in South Florida to have nice weather almost always,

 I imagine for those of you up north or abroad, summer means being outdoors!

 

 

So!

It's the 15th of the month ~

and that means it's time for the DDD card group to share our cards

that we've made with the kits from two hostesses:  Carol and Shelly!

The DDD = Dueling Darlings Divas -vs- Dazzlers,

a friendly duel between friends with a themed card kit

They had a fun theme for us this month:  Motorcycle Masculine cards :)

  

I received a card kit from Carol ~ all I did was add cardstock and glue

and designed this card :)

Motorcycles, says Carol, makes her think of leather, 

road trips and freedom riders!

I love that!

 

 

My card is rather plain and I tried to use at least one of each thing in the kit ~

 the paper, image, sentiment, ribbon + the cool brads that look like spikes!

 I purposely left the image uncolored

to give it a nice balance against the busy road map designer paper.

I added the sentiment and die cut that with a banner die, and it reads:

"Four wheels can move your body,

but two wheels can move your soul."

How about you, my friends?

Do you have any summer plans?

Where is the open road taking you?!

 Thank you, Carol and Shelly, for your theme for this month's duel theme ♥

Thanks for your visit today!

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day

to all the moms, gramma, aunties, fur mamas and beyond!

I hope your day is extra special

and all the wonderful moments that today holds are yours!

 Today I'm showing the card that I made for my daughter.

She's the one that gifted me our beautiful grand-daughter ~

one of the most beautiful blessings!

I absolutely fell in love with this Unity Stamp Company image

and it reminded me of my daughter and her love for Alice.

She's an AMAZING mama!

Extra love to all!

♥

Big hugs, bigger blessings!

~Kelly

One for Mother's Day ♥

Hi friends!

I have a combo card today ~ otherwise known as a two-fer :)

It's almost Mother's Day

and in addition to counting down the days until summer 

being a mom, I'm also a grandmother, daughter, friend ♥

Which means I make a lot of Mother's Day cards!

The CCEE Stampers challenge this week:  Create a card for Mother's Day

or a card suitable for a mom.

The timing is perfect for a mom card theme

because I created this one for a special friend.

I received this darling image for the 3M card group

and we were to create any card we liked with this image.

It was Jeanette's turn to send an image and this one was her choice. 
This is LDRS Creative Story Time Holly.
 

I have a few LDRS stamps (but not this one!) and loved that this stamp

1. has a book!  Swoon!

2. is large enough to be the focal point

3. is so versatile ~ she can be for any occasion!

For the CCEE Stampers, you can see what the Design Team
made with gorgeous samples of Mother's Day cards here.

We'd also love if you link up a card, too!
The Mr. Linky is at the bottom of the post and you can link up your own card!

For the 3M card group, 

it's just the 3 of us.

1 image, 3 different cards! 

You can see Barb's card here and Jeanette's card here.
And that's it for me today!

Thanks for stopping by :)
Big hugs, bigger blessings!
~Kelly

RSG: Show off your (ugly) paper!

"Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible

 things before breakfast."

~ Alice in Wonderland

Hi friends!

Oh, I do love the name Alice ...

it's my new granddaughter's name! ♥

My daughter's little girl shares the name with this classic

 and beloved storybook character

and it just makes me smile when I hear it :)

   “I’m late, I’m late! For a very important date!

 No time to say ‘hello, goodbye,’ I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!”

Oh, White Rabbit ~ me, too!

My card was for the Ready, Set, Go Challenge on 4/17

and the theme was:  Ugly paper!

ugly paper??

Now I'm “curiouser and curiouser!”

This was Jeanette's theme for us and this is what she said:

 

 In keeping with the idea of April Fools pranks and the unexpected,

  I want you to use two things on your card:

 the UGLIEST piece of designer paper that you can find in your stash

 (We have them, right? And we never expected to be asked to use those ugly papers!)

 and one of the stamps in your collection that has not yet seen ink, at least not by you.

 It's okay if it's a used stamp you purchased but have not yet used.

  Oh--and please post a picture of the patterned paper before cutting it apart!

Ready? Set? Go!

 This month was a little hard for me ~

as I don't see paper as 'ugly' :)

I either liked it when I bought it or had a specific challenge in mind

or it was a gift! 

So I'll call this: challenging paper!

Here is mine:

 

And finally, my card!

I used the adorable Alice - Life is full of Wonder from Stamp Anniething.

I chose this stamp as the first time inking

for my granddaughter, Alice.

I colored it pink (instead of the traditional blue) to match the dsp.

The sentiment is from another stamp set 

and I thought the wording was fun :)

To see what the other ladies created,

you can see Barb's card here and Jeanette's card here.

 I think I'm up for the next challenge but I could be wrong ...

Because we're all mad here!  :)

Thanks for stopping by!
Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly