*Aloha!* Friendship is the Sweetest Flower :)

Isn't it though?! Life is such a blessing and through all of lifes ups and downs, the trials and all the unknowns, I've found that my sweet friends have really been much of what keeps me grounded, and keeps me going!

Of all the travels dh and I have taken, Hawaii was definitely one of our favorite trips - and the pictures of the flowers are still fresh in my mind :) I'm also blessed to have one of the most beautiful hibiscus plants growing in my garden, planted as a memorial tree for my dad. It's grown from 12" tall to over 7' now and the blooms are so beautiful and fragrant! And what an inspiration for making this card!

I was aiming for a postcard look using The Sweetest Flower ~ I really wanted this gorgeous digi image to stand alone when out of it's card - I think this is a Criss-Cross fold (been awhile since I made one of these!) and used my Green at Heart Basic Grey papers.

Mahalo for stopping by today! And dont' forget to head over to the CDAC and check out the all-day long Luau going on!

And, for an added bonus, for the month of July only, Deedee is offering a limited-edition, gift-with-purchase digi! How cool is that!

Place any one order of $15 or more, and receive this "sand-sational" teddy for free! He's only available for this month, and then he'll go into "hibernation," so be sure to get him while you can!

Isn't he cute!!

~Kelly

Card deets: Stamping Up Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Watercolor paper

dsp - Basic Grey: Green at Heart

Digital Images: Deedee's Digis

Kaiser bling, Prismacolor markers, trimmer, Tombo, Nesties, CB

Life is Beachy Keen ... just BeClaws!

It is hot, hot, hot here in Miami!  But I love the summer and having my *babies* home, even if we are as busy now as the school year ~ still gotta squeeze in some time for the beach!

And how appropriate that Deedee's Digis brings you just that - this super darling lil crab in his bucket full of sand :)  You can find him here, but first you'll want to stop by the challenge blog and play along with this week's challenge:  Use Turquoise/Ocean blue, green and pink on your card! 

For my card, I used the Card Patterns sketch for this week :) I paired it with some of my fave My Mind's Eye paper and added some MM flowers in the 3 colors for the challenge.  The sentiment is part of the set and was so cute, I added it off to the side :)

TFL and hope to see you stop by the Challenge Blog!
xoxo
Blessings!
~Kelly

:-) Entry for:  Card Patterns:  Sketch
   Entry for:  ABC Challenge "X" = extra dimension


Card deets:  SU Pacific Point, GinaK  Turqouise Sea, PTI White, My Mind's Eye DSP  "Just dreamy 2"
Image and sentiment:  Deedee's Digis
Trimmer, Making Memories Flowers, K & Co brads, Cuttlebug, nesties, Tombo, 3D dots

Sending some Baby Love ;)

Happy Saturday!  I hope your having a great weekend ~ we're gearing up for the USA soccer game here and I'm catching up on mounds of laundry - family of 6 = mega dirty clothes and bedding!

 I'm posting a card today I made - actually, this is a test post :)   My blog sadly still has many kinks to work out and I'm still trying to figure out the camera as well as all it's wonderful settings.  This sweet card was sent to a super wonderful friend ;) but my pictures were so white and washed out.  I ran them through Picasa and now you can actually SEE them, lol!  Now if only fixing my blog was as easy!

This darling  image was from PinkCatStudio - I"ve been an admirer of their stamps for a long time and see they've now made a step to the digi world, too!  This image disappeared in my "housecleaning on the pc" awhile back but luckily I printed out quite a few - lesson learned the hard way! ;)

Hugs and blessings!
~Kelly





Entered in: DigiDoodle Shop: Anything Goes
Everybody Loves Art: Green/Pink
Frosted Deisngs - Green, aqua, yellow and orange

Cherry Blossom Bliss!

Hi there! Today's card for Fabulous Fridays at Sugar Creek Hollow was quite a challenge ~ No Designer Paper! ::: insert panic look here! ::: I love, love, LOVE me some DSP, so this was quite a stretch but I soon realized that with a wonderful image, you can rule the paper world :)


Using an image you've seen before, I paired up this Cherry Blossom, colored in a spectrum of reds and peach, with some burgundy, dark brown and kraft colored paper {run through the cuttlebug with the branches folder} and a light green ribbon to give it some pop ;)


It was hard not to entitle my post as Cherry Blossom Blues, as this is my last SCH post :(   However, the store will remain open during the summer so be sure to stop back in! 

Hugs and blessings!

Xoxoxo

~Kelly~

Card deets:  Enchanted Evening, PTI - PTI White, SU! Chocolate Chip and Kraft

Image:  Sugar Creek Hollow "Cherry Blossom"

Cuttlebug, nesties, CB folder, Basic Grey button,

SU! Grosgrain Ribbon, Kaider pearls, Tombo, Aileens

Hang in there, my friend!

Hi everyone ~ I hope you had a blessed and wonderful Father's Day.  It was a difficult day for me, but somehow I managed to put on that happy smile and faced everyone at a pool party and BBQ, which was just what I needed - God is good that way!  He knows what we need even before we do :)  

Today's card is one I made for MojoMonday144 using Deedee's digis brand new image "Hang in there" released today!  You can find it HERE.  I loved this image the second I saw it - it's absolutely adorable and perfect for a cheer up card! 

I paired this card with some luxurious papers (a giftie from  Lorie!! muah!) in hues of brown, white and teal and colored this sweet little bear with my prismacolor markers.   And didja know that Deedee's Challenge blog this week is to make a card using a scripture - AND she's providing you one to work with!  How simple and super is that!  So head on over this week if you can and play along - we'd love to see what you come up with :)  Every week has a winner!

Card deets:  Close to Cocoa (SU), Turquoise Sea (Gina K), DSP = Martha Stewart

Image:  Hang in there, Deedee's Digis

Prismacolor markers, K & Co brads, Nesties, CB, Tombo

Fabulous Friday with SCH and some *Exciting News!* :)

Happy, Happy Friday!!  I'm especially excited today to tell  you some news I've been bursting at the seams to share but couldn't until today and it's been sooo hard to keep quiet!   Off the upper left, you'll notice a new little icon on my blog *smiles!*


If you haven't seen this, then I'll let you in on the secret ~ Deedee's Digis now has a Design Team and I'm excited to be part of it!  She is truly an amazing lady and you'll be wanting to see all the upcoming events, digis, challenges and more that she has in store for you all!   And humbly, thanks for letting me share :)

I also bring you another Fabulous Friday card from Sugar Creek Hollow ~ this week's theme was to "Load it On!"  My card has a whopping 13 layers on it, not including the image!  I had a BLAST creating this one, using the digital set called Jelly Jar set ~ and you can find it here!  The set is full of inspirational images and such a great value at $5.00 ~ perfect for canning all the wonderful fruits and vegetables summer brings!

Make sure to stop by and see what the rest of the DT have Loaded Up

for you to see today!

Tracy {owner} ♥ Joseline ♥ Linda ♥ Marsha ♥  Nancy ♥  Donna♥  Kristina ♥

Joan ♥  Cassie ♥  Loretta ♥ Dani ♥ Stephanie ♥  me :)

 Blessings,
~Kelly

Shake your Bon-Bons! Or Tailfeathers ....... :)

So it's not a Father's Day card, rofl!  And I wouldn't be shaking my tailfeathers or any other body part, rofl, but Vivienne from KK Stamps  can! 

My dd13 is at one of the most wonderful (non-sleepaway) Music Camp for 3 weeks this summer - one of the things they do in addition to voice and vocal performances, theory, etc is a little dancing ~ yesterday she came home telling me she learned to Salsa :)  Which will come in handy living here in South Florida! 

I colored the image before having an idea of where I was going, so I pulled from the aqua in her outfit and feathers - found some of my matching DSP with teal and aqua colors and even one with peacock feathers - perfect!   The sketch is also one from a KK Challenge from awhile ago - I had it saved and it worked perfectly for this card. 

Off to VBS so short and sweet post - but sending lots of love and blessings your way! 

~Kelly

Dragonflies in flight, give me delight! :)

Oh how I just adore Dragonflies! 

For me, they are a delight and represent such a sense of beauty and grace and spirtual peace.  I have been looking for a dragonfly image for quite some time now and was delighted to see this one from Deedee's Digis.   Although I've always been partial to this lovely creature, I became more aware of them when my father was extremely sick from his cancer returning.  He had an amazing gift for the garden and they always seemed to be around when we would have coffee on the back porch or just sit and talk together.  Since his passing a couple of years ago, I've noticed they have been around me in my darkest hours and bring me comfort, reminding me that He promises that "All comfort comes from Him. He comforts us in all our troubles."
 (2 Corinthians 3:4)

I knew where I wanted to go with this card, but couldn't decide on what papers to use so I asked my wise beyond his years 5-year-old son to help me pick, lol!  {Slight inside joke there -- my son could care less about anything arts and crafts and is all about sports and his Nintendo DS!}  But he is truly a graceful soul and is such an incredible "in tune" kid when it comes to offering a helping hand ~ and he sure did a stand up job here!  He grabbed from a big stack of papers ..... and chose these 3 colors at random! 

Using his color palette, I found a good match with my Basic Grey Origins papers that have been sooo neglected!  I colored this "Little Miracles" image with prismacolor markers, added a yellow gingham ribbon & tuck 'n folding it for texture and depth and  some caramel buttons.  I'm so happy with how it turned out, since it's on it's way to a dear, dear friend's house :)

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you have a most blessed

SONday :)

Hugs and blessings,

~Kelly

~*~ Fab Friday's with Sugar Creek Hollow ~*~

Happy Friday to you! 

It's Friday ~ and Friday's mean  a new Fabulous Friday with Sugar Creek Hollow creation ~ and here's mine for you , using a new image called "Vintage Balloon".  

I was inspired by this painting from dh's office ~ the photo doesn't do justice to the vibrancy or intensity of the colors, but it's wonderful.  

Using Basic Grey's Marrakech papers, I paper pieced the balloon and used coordinating cardstock to create my card for you this week: 

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to see what the rest of the DT have made for you -

you can find them all in my sidebar :)

And dont' forget Tracy generously gives away a freebie every Friday!

You can pick up your Friday Freebie here!!! :)

Entered for consideration in:  My time to Craft - xtra Special Card

Paper Playtime - In Thy face I see honor, truth and loyalty

Blessings!

xoxoxo

~Kelly 

Hope your Birthday's a Hoot! :)

Ohhhh, Did you watch Glee!! It just finished here (Tues night!) and I'm still bouncing off the walls !!!   Wasn't that riveting?!!!   I heart Josh Groban  ::: smile! :::   not to mention I grew up on Journey ~ and watching them sing "To Sir With Love" ...... be still my heart.  So much wonderful-ness all in one show!  Now it is going to be excruciating waiting for the premiere! :-(

So today I bring you a challenge card from Fresh Brewed Designs!  This week, Heather gave us this challenge recipe: 

 2 patterned papers, 1 ribbon, 2 flowers, and 1 EXTRA item

  

Using the MojoMonday142 sketch, I created "Hope your birthday's a hoot!" for a dear friend's birthday that is fastly approaching :)   

 The image is FBD's "Whooo wants to party" and can be found here! 


For the recipe, I used patterned papers from both Basic Grey and Cosmo Cricket, ribbon, 2 wee flowers and the extra item(s) are matching buttons ;)   I used my watercolor crayons and aquapainter to give it a little background texture ~ sentiment is computer generated :)

Card entered in the following challenges for consideration :)

1.  Everybody-Art-Challenge ~ Things with wings {owl}

2. Frosted Designs ~ Buttons

3. Oh Alice, Blog ~ Muchness (addiction to Patterned Papers!)

4. Stamp Something:  Use a digi!

5. A spoonfull of sugar - Floral Delights, use flowers

6.  My Time to Craft Challenge ~ xtra special (bday!)

7. Shirley's 2 girls ~ Something blue

Thanks for stopping by today!  Make sure to check out the other DT in my sidebar and see what they've created for you today!

Hugs and Blessings always!

Butterfly Dreams & Prayers on Wings .... SCH Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Sugar Creek Hollow's June Blog Hop :)  I'm so happy you stopped by!  You should have arrived here from Joseline's fantastic blog!  If you need to start from the beginning of the hop, head back over here to Joan's blog!

** Blog Hop Starts Saturday 6/5! **

You won't want to miss this hop!

  Not only do are there  beautiful creations along the way,

but there is a wonderful prize being offered up to ONE LUCKY WINNER!

One lucky winner will receive a basket of Tracy's stunning, hand-dyed Country Crinkle Ribbon (which sells out the second it reaches her store!), craft goodies and a specially made card from us -the DT members!).

And ..... along the hop, you will collect a letter from each of the DT blogs that will spell out a word!  After you've stopped and commented on each blog, at your last stop, you'll be instructed where to send your "secret" word! 

Here is my card for you today, based on this challenge from SCH!

I used the butterfly digi that Tracy generously gave away on her Friday Freebie ~ I hope you scooped it up as well!  I entitled it butterfly dreams and Prayers on wings because butterflies always gave me a sense of hope and dreams and fulfillment ~ and they also happen to the favorite of a dear,dear friend of mine who is going to receive this very shortly in her mailbox :)  It's a card of prayer and thought for her in her hour of need.

From here you will head over to see to see the talented Nancy's Blog!

My letter for you on this hop is:  "I"

Thanks for stopping by today!
Blessings!

x0x0x0

~Kelly

Card entered for the following challenge considerations:

The ABC Challenge ~ Vintage!

Here is the entire blog line up ~ start at Joan and grab up the secret letters!

Joan
Marsha
Dani
Stephanie
Loretta
Linda
Kristina
Donna
Cassie
Mary
Joseline
Kelly {you are here!}
Nancy
Tracy
Sugar Creek Hollow Blog

Deets:  Cardstock:  Rich Razzleberry, Kraft - DSP = Crate Paper

Digi Image:  Sugar Creek Hollow's Freebie Image ~ Butterfly Flower

Used:  Prismacolor markers, Cuttlebug, Nesties, Folder: Swirls and Birds; SU! ribbon in Chocolate chip, 3d dots, Tombo

*Hot fun in the summertime ......"

"Hi Hi Hi Hi there

Them summer days, those summer days ..." ;)

It's almost summer here ~ a few more days and my girls will be out of school for the summer!   Little brother has already been home this week and we are both counting the days, hours, minutes ..... I love having my *babies* home for the summer!

This month, the uber fabulously talented Lorie was our hostess for the S.O.T.C. swap and her theme was "Think Summer!"  As soon as I saw the Kraftin' Kimmie release, I knew I had to get my hands on Florence!  As soon as it arrived in my mailbox, I had the envie open and my nose pressed against that fresh rubbah!  LOL!  (we crafters have some quirks, eh?!)  Nothin' like the sweet smell of brand new rubber stamps! :)

I really wanted a sunset - aka Miami look to the cards, so as soon as I spied this new S.E.I paper at my {now closed} :( LSS, I scooped it up.  It has such interesting texture and color to it.  Each card is respectively different though, and there is an inside sentiment with "Have a sizzling Summer!" 

TFL and stop back in on Saturday for the Sugar Creek Hollow Blog Hop! :)

Blessings!
~Kelly


Submission for the following challenge considerations:
  Raise the Bar ~ Celebrate Summer!
The Pink Elephant - Fun, Bright Colors
Aly's Sunday Challenge ~ Bows and Ribbons
Papertake Weekly:  Fun, Fun, Fun!
Cupcake challenge ~ Summer Delights!
Everybody Art Challenge ~ Summer!

Deets:  SU! Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo - DSP - SEI "Jocelyn"

Image:  Kraftin' Kimmie "Florence"

Used:  Prismacolor markers, signo  pen, basic grey buttons, MS ribbon, Twine, Shapers punch, Trimmer, Tombo, 3d dots

It's Fresh Brewed Design's Release Day!

Welcome to Fresh Brewed Designs

New Release Blog Hop -

so glad you stopped in today!

You should have arrived here from the lovely Grace's blog!  And if you need to start at the beginning, click here!

Today's card is using the darling digi image called 'Daniel - God Bless America'.  I just love, love him!  My beloved father was career Air Force and growing up in a military family, traveling the world and understanding what sacrifice and freedom truly are was a wonderful experience for me.  And my only sibling (brother, 1.5 years older) knew from as soon as he could walk and talk as a toddler that the Army was the place for him - and he was right!  And this image reminded me so much of him, and all the other "Daniels" out there that fit into their mom and dad's uniforms :)

I made an easel card with this image ~ set with some Stars 'n Stripes DSP(remember that military newsletter!) paper, a few embellies and a whole lotta memories :)  I was really going for a primitive look by using some wonderful papers I found at my LSS last month - very primitive patriotic if you will! 

And I'm also giving away this card today :)

No strings attached ~ my father passed away a few

years ago and my husband is not military ... perhaps you or someone you know could use this card to give/send to a loved one so just leave me a comment below that you'd like to be in the hat and I'll let random.org pick a name for me & I'll send it your way via snail mail! :)

I also have a new Hannah card to show you but my camera wouldn't cooperate in time for

this hop so It will make a debut hopefully this afternoon so stop back by!

Next up you will be visiting Carolyn's amazing blog and see what she has created for you!
And remember FBD is having a challenge as well so stop by and check that out :)

Have a blessed day today!
x0x0

** Happy Memorial Day! ** Fresh Brewed Designs Give-away!

Happy Memorial Day and God Bless America :)


If you are looking for the current Freshly Brewed Challenge: please go here!!

Heather, owner of Fresh Brewed Designs, created this image in honor of Memorial Day. She writes: "His name is Daniel: God Bless America. This little boy is a reminder that freedom is not free. He is what the mother sees when her son leaves for war, what the daddy sees when he returns and his son tries on his uniform and says "Daddy I love you" and he is my way of Thanking every service man and woman for all they do.
She is generously giving this image away to several surprise people this weekend! All you have to do is comment on this post. If you have created a card for the challenge already, have two chances. If you leave ANOTHER comment letting us know you grabbed the challenge badge on the sidebar and have linked it back, you have 3 chances. If you or a loved one is or has been in the military, please share something special with us about it in a separate comment. That gives you ANOTHER chance to win!

((If you do not want Daniel as your prize you are free to choose an image of your choice if you win.))

"I do hope you love little Daniel as much as I do.  Have a Beautiful and Blessed weekend.  You have until Monday night to get in on the fun and win this image.

** Also, this image is part of a set being released in July and WILL NOT be in my shop until then. If you want to purchase the image before then, just send me an email and we will work it out."

Now hop on over and see the creations using "Daniel - God Bless America!"
(mine is still in the works!  This is the last week of school for the kids and final/essays/exams/project over floweth at my house and I'm fighting for computer space this week!)

Happy Graduation - Sugar Creek Hollow style! {Fabulous Friday w/ SCH}

Happy Happy Friday to you!   I hope this weekend brings you lots of wonderful-ness ;)  Today I bring you another card from Sugar Creek Hollow's Fabulous Friday ~ the DTs challenge this week was to make a recessed window card.   My first one!  And I love, love this style card! 

Mine is a little less vintage and more girly ~ I wanted to use the SCH graduation image for this card going to the daughter of a super close friend of mine! Her "little girl" is graduating 8th grade and moving on to High School - pink being her favorite color and school colors are red & white, so I had to give her school colors a little "shout out!" 

And here it is .... Happy Graduation Day! 

{Close up}

Be sure to stop by and see what the SCH DT Recessed Window cards look like!  You will simply adore each and every stunning creation.

 Blessings!
 ~Kelly   

Tracy *  Joseline * Stephanie * Cassie * Kristina * Donna * Nancy *

Cheri * Dani * Linda * Marsha * Loretta * Joan *

May Guest Designer:   Bernadette

Altered Faith Journal/Notebook ~ Psalm 9:1

Happy Wednesday - again!  I'm delighted to bring you another post today - I have meant to post this for since yesterday - no time like the present! :)

This is an altered notebook that I made for Deedee's Digi Blog Challenge ~ this week's challenge is:

And now for this week's challenge! This week we would like you to

make a project featuring a Scripture verse of "praise."

Although I can't wait to craft with the beautiful digi I won on the Opening Day blog hop (take a peek at her digis here), I decided to use the digi that Deedee is giving away for free on her blog - take a peek!  It was PERFECT for the person I'm making this little altered notebook for.  At my son's preschool, there are many "helpers" that are often overlooked and I try to pick up little things here and there to accompany a gift card as a way of saying thank you for all you do!  This is a notebook that I picked up at the $1 bin at Michael which was super cute - I even found matching notecards :)  But I altered it using this fabulous verse from Psalm 9:1, perfect for those who show their love for Him through their work! 

{Close up}

Using lots of ribbon, I anchored the ribbons to the side in a multitude of colors, drawing from the color palette of the DSP.  A little bright and whimsical, but she's a wonderful 17 year old high schooler volunteering her community hours to work with our children. 

{Binder notebook, open}

TFL and blessings! xoxoxo

~Kelly

Deets:  Spiral Notebook from Michaels

DSP:  KI Memories, SU! Cardstock (earth elements)

Basic Grey (image print)

Prima flowers, various ribbons, Aileens, Tombo