Last night's creations

Happy Tuesday everyone!
I have 2 treats today for your eye enjoyment, and possibly a tip or 2.

first the treats:

 Two views so you can hopefully see the black diamond stickles on the mirror card stock flowers

Card stock by STAMPIN' UP, Black n silver metallic card stock cut from a used greeting card :)(Love being able to recycle stuff like this)

Mirror card stock-unknown

Flower punch by STAMPIN' UP

Markers by STAMPIN' UP

Black Diamond Stickles by RANGER

Sentiment digi by GINGER HOUSE Designs

Baby dragon digi by BECCY'S PLACE

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Do you Stack up ...boy or man card
Challenge up Your Life ...one for the men
Crazy 4 Challenges ...boys
2 Sisters Challenges ... boys/men
There she goes ...POP a layer or image
Crafty Creations ...animals
Case Study Challenges ...your own signature style
Craft us Crazy ...anything goes
Paper Crafting Journey ...anything goes
Digis with Attitude ...anything goes
Totally Gorjuss ...as you like it (anything goes)

treat#2:

 I just LOVE how this TAG came out!

 Tag base-unknown

Paint smeared Posies/Sparkle Posies card stock by DIE CUTS WITH a VIEW (only sheet I had and was holding onto it forever, cause it is so pretty!)

Wire,net and feather butterfly- unknown but possibly older recollections

flower with pearl in center-rec'd as RAK

coloring done with PRISMACOLOR pencils and Blending pencil

inked edges with Cat Eye Fluid chalk ink by COLORBOK

Ribbons and fibers out of my (GINORMOUS) stash

sentiment is computer generated

Stardust stickles by RANGER used on sentiment, on dancer's belt, show-bows,and daisy in her hair. Also added to the flower, and I added a drop to the glitter already on the paper.

Tiny Dancer digi is by WHOOPSIEDAISY DIGIS

 A few views so you can see all the sparkle, and chalk ink, 

that the little dancer is raised on foam tape etc.

I am entering this tag in the following challenges:
Crafters Digital Art Center ...progressive challenge
Take time For You ...anything but a card
KB Cute Mondays ...use a butterfly
Incy Wincy Designs ...diamonds and pearls (There is a pearl in the flower)
The Shabby Tea Room ...use your birthstone for inspiration (JUNE-Pearl and/or Alexandrite; which is a light purplish-pink)
Flutter by Wednesday ...must have a butterfly on it
Truly Scrumptious ...pink
Sisterhood of Crafters ...flower power
Case Study Challenges ...your own signature style
Craft us Crazy ...anything goes
Paper Crafting Journey ...anything goes
Pixie Dust Studio pixie challenge ...tag
Crafty Sentiments ...ribbons and bows
Sukkersott challenges ...wings
Digis with Attitude ...anything goes
Card Making Mamas ...pink
One Stop Craft Challenge ...anything but square
Totally Gorjuss ...as you like it (anything goes)

I thank you all in advance for any comments!

a Tip: Plumber's metal adhesive tape (can be purchased in Walmart) sadly only comes in one width (perhaps wider in actual plumbing supply stores, I do not know)  works wonderfully in embossing folders!
and I recently found out that so does duct tape, check out this video (thanks Alex for sharing this):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1Pjzj2m5R4&feature=related

I'll try to show a creation with the plumbers tape within this coming week.

:)Have a great day!

Happiness is a Hot cup of Tea!

Ok a new card, among a few others not yet finished this weekend.

Happiness is a Hot Cup of Tea:

 a few views :)

 Tea Pot and Tea cup digi images by SANDI SAMPLE

Sentiment Digi by TLC CREATIONS

Card stock by STAMPIN' UP

Embossing Folder by CUTTLEBUG

Markers by STAMPIN' UP

Liguid Pearls by RANGER

Roses by PRIMA MARKETING

transparent barely lavendar Bling Pick by "Modern Romance"--HIRSCHBERG SCHUTZ & CO.

Lavender and aged white lace from stash, ribbon from stash

Gold paint pen-trim on teapot, cups and saucers.

 

 I fussy cut the embossed Card stock to create a window, raised it up on foam dots, then attached the Teapot and one tea cup(slightly behind the pot) then the other tea cup, which I had also fussy cut.

I trimmed the sentiment and attached it to the pink card stock I cut out of the center scrap, trimmed that and then attached it. I made a bow out of all three (ribbon and 2 laces) together, used large glue dots on the back, placed the pick on top of on of them, covered that same glue dot and wire with another glue dot. Placed the bow and pick where I liked, then used glue dots with the roses from Prima.

 

 above close-up of how the window is raised (sorry it is fuzzy)

below close-up of the bow, bling pick, and roses.

 

This card was made for the progressive challenge at CRAFTERS DIGITAL ART CENTER
and I am also entering it in the following challenges:
Scrapbook Sisters card challenge ...flower, ribbon, gem
Truly Scrumptious ...pink
The Sisterhood of Crafters ...flower power
Crafts and me ...lace
Card Making Mama ...Pink
Speedy the Cat's challenge ...lace
Case Study Challenges ...your own signature style
Craft us Crazy ...anything goes
Paper Crafting Journey ...anything goes
Crafty Sentiments ...ribbons and bows
Digis with Attitude ...anything goes
Totally Gorjuss ...as you like it (anything goes)
Digi Doodle Shop ...anything goes
Creative Rumblings ...TicTacToe challenge(I chose Lace,flower,bling)

Check out this blog candy!

Wow, now here is a giveaway for you!

1,000 sheets of 6 x 6 paper

Here is another surprise!!

so go visit A THOUSAND SHEETS OF PAPER

Here is another giveaway:

Most of these LOVELIES are from Europe!  How very cool :)
Amy is celebrating her 500TH post! YEA!!! so off ya go now to check it out: Paper Trails Leaver

AND, yet another awesome giveaway! Hurry only days left for I believe the last out of 4-6 prizes. 

 RUN, don't walk to Handmade by TLC!!

Another awesome candy I have come across this weekend!

 Hurry up and go sign up with Scrappin For Kenzie 

Hurricane Irene

Greetings to all my followers but ESPECIALLY 
to my FELLOW coastal dwellers!

The above was Irene and a coastal scene 2 days ago

The above here, Irene and a shoreline image from 1 day ago.

It has already been battering NC, and is heading north,right up against the coast.

I wish all of you a safe and sound weekend!

Monday Muse--Living Dead Girl

 

 This is a long post filled with wonderful art, quotes and photography. I hope you'll stick with it. get a cuppa, and relax.

 de·spair
 [dih-spair] 

noun

1.

loss of hope; hopelessness.

2.

someone or something that causes hopelessness: He is the despair of his mother.

 

My Husband, my Son and my House are my despair.

I've come to the conclusion, that these 2 men have no intention of ever fixing anything in this house. It is going to fall apart on top of us. We had yet another pipe break and a huge leak. I swear this house is under a water curse and I so want to do a cleansing, but it is 2 stories and I need help, and I can not get any. Every time I point out something that needs IMMEDIATE attention, especially items that were already promised to be fixed "by the end of summer" (some of these were by the end of summer in the 90s) My son will bring up all my "crap" (ie crafting stuff) like what does my stuff have to do with a leaking roof, or a chimney that needs finishing so the other wood stove can get lit in the winter??????? Since hubby's episode, stroke or whatever, there has been a DEFINITE decline of his faculties...memory, balance, mood. He claims he told his doctor, but the doctor didn't order a CT scan(the "gold" standard for strokes---and we asked for an RX for an MRA of his head and neck last year to see if he had any bloclkages forming , since his history of DM and the MIAs-which the doc refused claiming our insurance wouldn't pay for it--LIE!  so this might have been preventable) or anything. Basically I get ganged up on, DAILY. Hubby might make a complaint to me about our son, but when I broach the subject when Tom is present, my hubby acts like he has NO IDEA WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT and joins in with the verbal abuse of my son. I am beginning to think I might have to get out of here, legally have my name removed from the deed of the house and property if that is possible. (Though I am loathe to do it, what a waste--as if the work was put into it, this house and property would be worth well over 400K)

 

I do not know how I can afford to live out of here and on my own, until my WC settles, and I do not see the light at the end of that tunnel!   I do not even have anyone to talk to about this, except for my 83 yo Mom, who doesn't need to hear my crap, and my youngest daughter, and truthfully even though, she is willing to listen (most of the time) why should I burden a 24 yo. To be quite honest with you all, over the last several weeks, suicide has crossed my mind and dreams a few times. My animals, my stuff and my youngest daughter are the only things keeping me from thinking about it all the time. 

 

Recently a friend was found to have a tumor in her colon, and it is believed to be the big "C" though it is not in stone yet, but it makes me more aware that I am 4 years past needing a pap and a good exam. Luckily I did have my mammo done, and it was ok.  All day yesterday my left kidney was acting up BAD, it usually acts up from time to time, just enough to let me know it is there, yesterday was much more intense pain.(though not enough to go to the ER...yea!  and it did eventually calm down) Hearing this news about my friend has just made more of the bad in my life pronounced and focused, it was kind of like the last straw.  I haven't slept well in weeks, and last night was like NO sleep.  Which is why I am writing about it.

I have talked about things, as I have always been one to share and I certainly wear my heart on my sleeve. However, I still try to put on a brave face and act like basically all is well. WELL, basically it is not.

 

 From Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, With Over One Hundred Illustrations Designed by Frederick Barnard and Others, Engraved by Dalziel Borthers (The John C. Winston Company, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Toronto, 1894)

 "But, in her life, nothing was going to happen. Such was the will of God! The future was a dark corridor, and at the far end the door was bolted."
— Gustave Flaubert (Madame Bovary)

 Evelyn De Morgan

Hope in the Prison of Despair

40.64cm X 45.72cm

Oil paint on canvas

1887

www.jimandellen.org

This artwork shows a young person holding a lamp entering a cell where a young girl is crying with her hands over face displaying a sense of despair and grief. The light the person is holding represents hope, and the halo surrounding the persons face shows the religious side behind the artwork. I believe the name of this artwork, ‘Hope in the Prison of Despair’ implifies that the girl who is crying is confined in her own prison of despair.

"The prince is never going to come. Everyone knows that; and maybe sleeping beauty's dead."
— Anne Rice (The Vampire Lestat)

  Despair by Super-Sheep© 2005-2011
This is the last of my four "big-sized" drawings (with The End, Gomi and Princess of Mist). I did them for a sci-fi/fantasy convention in Paris a few years ago.
Pen & ink, tubular pen, washed ink on paper (50cm x 65cm).
http://super-sheep.deviantart.com/art/Despair-18735242

This IS exactly how I feel in my house (above) I can not even begin to enumerate all things that need immediate attention, and just attention in this house. It used to be my HOME, now it is just a house, MONEY PIT, a MONKEY ON MY BACK. A back that can not bear the weight anymore!  it is a 14 room huge house, and yet I have no space to create in, really spread out and paint etc. because no one will help me empty out at least one room and start reorganizing. That was the goal a year ago when I began renting a 16' POD, that costs 202$ a month. I AM the ONE paying for it, and nothing has been done in that year, nothing has been cleared out, nothing has been fixed, nothing has been reorganized, still no room for me to truly be able to create!  Quite frankly, I haven't even had much motivation to create, which is  why I think I am in such a state of despair. Creating at least is some therapy.

I know there are many people in the world far worse off than I, truly I do know that. However in the scheme of things in my world right now, I do not have it in me to care, as I can not even care for myself. 

It is truly sad, as I was beginning to find some hope, due to the new doctor, and the decrease in my low back and knee pain.  But again in the scheme of things NOW, it almost doesn't matter. If you have made it this far I thank you.




"The greatest hazard of all, losing one’s self, can occur very quietly in the world, as if it were nothing at all. No other loss can occur so quietly; any other loss - an arm, a leg, five dollars, a wife, etc. - is sure to be noticed."
— Søren Kierkegaard (The Sickness Unto Death) 

"I go dreaming into the future, where I see nothing, nothing. I have no plans, no idea, no project, and, what is worse, no ambition. Something – the eternal ‘what’s the use?’ – sets its bronze barrier across every avenue that I open up in the realm of hypothesis."
— Gustave Flaubert (Flaubert in Egypt: A Sensibility on Tour)

 Mathew Reed

The Pursuer

Ink and an inkjet print on photographic quality cotton paper

2008

www.redbubble.com

This artwork is based on human emotions, mainly depressed moods. The boy covering his hands feels despair while the ‘pursuer’ is reaching out to him. I chose this artwork because the ‘pursuer’ reflects abuse, this relates to my theme of slavery because the slaves were abused if they weren’t doing what was told. This gave the slaves a feel of despair because they thought there was no hope to set them free. This artwork debates the concept of whether spirits are felt among us in the real world.

"It is said that scattered through Despair's domain are a multitude of tiny windows, hanging in the void. Each window looks out onto a different scene, being, in our world, a mirror. Sometimes you will look into a mirror and feel the eyes of Despair upon you, feel her hook catch and snag on your heart. Despair says little, and is patient."
— Neil Gaiman (Season of Mists)

 Edvard Munch. Weeping Nude, 1913. Oil on canvas

"The wounds that never heal can only be mourned alone."
— James Frey (A Million Little Pieces)

John Fisher

Despair

150cm X 80cm X 75cm

Marble

1994

www.artparks.co.uk

This sculpture shows a a lady crying, she is crying from the loss of her unborn baby. She is in despair and lost hope for it. Women who were slaves and pregnant were forced to do as much work as women who weren’t, it would’ve consequented with the loss of an unborn child from doing to much work such as lifting and ploughing. I feel it would’ve been a hard time for them.

"Sometimes...you can cry until there's nothing wet in you. You can scream and curse to where your throat rebels and ruptures. You can pray, all you want, to whatever god you think will listen. And, still it makes no difference. It goes on, with no sign as to when it might release you. And you know that if it ever did relent...it would not be because it cared."
— Jhonen Vasquez (Johnny the Homicidal Maniac: Director's Cut)

 "the thing is you can get used to anything you think you cant you want to die but you don't you can't you just are"
— Elizabeth Scott (Living Dead Girl)

"No reflection was to be allowed now, not one glance was to be cast back; not even one forward. Not one thought was to be given either to the past or the future. The first was a page so heavenly sweet, so deadly sad, that to read one line of it would dissolve my courage and break down my energy. The last was an awful blank, something like then world when the deluge was gone by."
— Charlotte Brontë (Jane Eyre)

"At night I no longer dreamed, nor did I let my imagination work during the day. The once vibrant escapes of watching myself fly through the clouds in bright blue costumes, were now a thing of the past. When I fell asleep, my soul became consumed in a black void. I no longer awoke in the mornings refreshed; I was tired and told myself that I had one day less to live in this world. I shuffled through my chores, dreading every moment of every day. With no dreams, I found that words like hope and faith were only letters, randomly put together into something meaningless - words only for fairy tales. "
— Dave Pelzer (A Child Called "It")

 "Despair filled his skull even more tightly than his own brain. All around him cars filled with normal people perfectly unaware of the disease turning Perry's body inside out. Fucking normal people."
— Scott Sigler (Infected) 

Recent ATCs for a swap or so

Hi all, Friday fun a bit late!

Here is some creations from me mostly ATCs for swaps.

This one is "My Favorite Paper"  you had to use some of your favorite paper. Well for me and I am sure for many of you, I am a paper addict, so I have TONS of favorite paper. To narrow of it down, I decided to use MY FAVORITE paper in a Pile of SCRAP paper out in the open in my work area.
I sent in 2 sets of 3, I also used a collage image off the "Beauty in Purple" collage sheet from ALTERED PAGES for them.

The purple paper on the left is from GCD STUDIOS, a somewhat obscure company...The Diamonds are mirrors, though they look black here. there is a string of purple beads going up the one side and some awesome tiny star holographic white punchinella from SKYBLUEPINK. I wrote the word Naughty in white gel pen.

The ATC on the right uses an OLD paper from HOT OFF THE PRESS, that I still love to this day, and I believe this is my last bit of it. It is just swirled and blended purples, blues and pinks, very pretty! The color is a bit off here. (these were scanned on bright orange paper, which doesn't look so bright here)

I added some other awesome holographic punchinella from SKYBLUEPINK, a flower from PRIMA MARKETING, Dew Drops, and Stickles from RANGER. The "moments" stamp is an old Self-inking stamp from JUST-RIGHT STAMPERS.

(I might be adding another set here, I have to make sure I haven't already posted about them)

Linking to Dezina world for Friday fun!

also to Incy Wincy Designs ...anything but a card

AGAIN, I'd like to remind everyone of the upcoming Gypsy Dreams and Practical Magic blog parties, coming up in Sept. The buttons are on my side bar!! Please consider joining us!

A first! (at your age? yes at my age) ...Chosen top 3

I'm sooo excited!  I have a new FIRST in my life (at my age no less, TeeHee)  I was picked top 3 in a challenge blog!


My Gavin Ghost Tag was chosen top 3 for homemade designer paper! (2 posts down I believe)


Here's the link to the announcement! I am so honored!
Paper Play

31 Days of Halloween 2011

Several of you, my loyal followers have asked me about the "31 Days of Halloween" stamping contest, blog hop and fun. 

Well the information page is now up!  

Just click the button on my sidebar, it will carry you away to The Smeared and Smudged ning group's  "31 Days of Halloween" planning page. 

I hope you'll join us :)

A Card for Ryan

Here is my first card for Ryan. It is handmade by me, but it was in my "stash", made a couple of years ago.
I have already started making others, but I wanted to get one sent out right away. So I wrote him a very nice note inside and it will be at the PO when my husband arrives at work at 6:30 am and will go out on their afternoon truck!

I scanned this and the colors look totally off. It is a bright Pink, chocolate brown and turquoise. Everything is STAMPIN' UP, some stuff-retired!

I hope more of you will be sending Ryan some cards! he reached out to fellow Americans that were strangers in the great city of New Orleans, and now it is our turn as fellow Americans that are strangers to Ryan to reach out to him! :)

ATTENTION: fellow card-makers, crafters, stampers etc.

Please click the button on my sidebar that says Cards for Ryan!!


I do not personally know this young man, but I have read his story, and am following his "healing update blog"
He is seemingly selfless young man, who moved to New Orleans to help with the clean-up etc. and ended up staying  and doing more and more for the community.  Then while riding his bicycle had a tragic accident resulting in a coma, and a traumatic brain injury. He is on the road to recovery but it is a long road.

He is LOVING getting cards in the mail...so please take a bit of time, perhaps with a cup of tea and read about Ryan.

and then send a card!   a bunch of stamp companies are donating free digis , and a friend of the family, is mailing out this fab prize pak to everyone who sends a card.


PLEASE share this information with a friend

a couple of Tags

This first tag is for Dude Time Doodles
 we had to use the digi they supplied...Gavin Ghost and use him in a humorous way.
This is my first time playing with them, I think this tag fills the bill:

 card stock was plain ivory, part of a 12 x 12 sheet I used several  TATTERED ANGELS' shimmering mists on. Cut with the original SIZZIX Super Traditional Tag. Cats Eye fluid Chalk inks by COLORBOK, sponged and smeared on tag, and a little on Gavin. Gavin was colored with PRISMACOLOR pencils and blending pencil.

"Don't Pull My Chain!" computer generated with type writer key font, individual letters cut out with a 1/4 circle punch by STAMPIN' UP. Gavin is Coated in Glow-in-the-Dark MOD PODGE. The letters are elevated on foam dots.

Misc. ribbons, old jewelry chains, and 2 types of Punchinella from SKYBLUEPINK.

I am also entering this tag in the following challenges:
One Stitch at a Time ...anything goes
Shopping our Stash ...dog or digi or denim
Ribbon Carousal ...edgy with ribbon, twine etc
The Burtonesque Dolls ...the lighter side of Burton....(Ghosts in NBC and BJ)
Top Tip Tuesdays ...no curved edges
Crafting for all Seasons ...tags
Paper Pretties ...die cuts (the tag is a die cut)
Paper Play challenges ...make your own DP
The Crafty Purple Frog ...anything but a card
Digis with Attitude ...anything goes
Allsorts ...anything but a card
Challenge Up Your Life ...no patterned paper


Second Tag is one I just felt like making:

 I used a manila tag  and covered it with a mix of specialty-handmade papers, origami paper, and the card stock the digi is on. It is colored with STAMPIN' UP markers. The Chinese Lantern digi  and the Moment sentiment(Moment-a brief, indefinite interval of time. This moment counts!) are both from TLC Creations.

Misc. fibers and ric-rac used for top of tag.

I am entering this tag in the following challenges:

The Crafty Purple Frog ...anything but a card
Digis with Attitude ...anything goes
Allsorts ...anything but a card
Top Tip Tuesdays ...no curved edges
Crafting for all Seasons ...tags
Shopping our Stash ...dog or digi or denim

Postal SPLAT!!

Ok here is a real quickie card made for SMUDGY ANTICS weekly challenge, this week it is SPLAT.
I knew I was going to do this card, but my hubby has an envelope of bullet hole decals, and we were hoping to find them, as I was going to use a few on the card. He can't remember where he put them. so I decided not to make a card, and then later on tonight I said "WHY THE HELL NOT?!" LOL So I did everything I planned to do except for the bullet hole decals, and then I remembered the most IMPORTANT part of the challenge...::smackin' self::: DOH!! I had to use a SMEARED INK image. well none of the images I have go with this sentiment, and then I thought about the birds, and how mail carriers see them all day (and sometimes get pooped on by them) and how the post offices I have worked in, and the one hubs currently works in have always had bird nests in places all over the place. That is why I added the 2 little dead birds.

All card stock by STAMPIN' UP, printed blood splatter paper by MARTHA STEWART(for EK Success)

Sentiment (Guns don't kill people. Postal workers kill people.) by VIVA LASVEGAS STAMPS.

RIP Birdy image by SMEARED INK (re-sized)

Diamond glaze by JUDIKINS over all the splattered blood. Misc. used US Postal stamps and mosaic tiles used in the corners.

Queen for a Day

Hi there, Happy Saturday!! I am feeling a bit better today, I've been dealing with a sore throat for almost a week, and my nerves have been way over-active (from neck and low back) so taking my meds  and sleeping a bit LOL!

Today, the throat isn't so bad. We shut the air conditioners off for now, and opened the windows. and the neck shoulders and arms are much better (knock wood) and just my rt knee is being inconsiderate today (again knock wood).  so I guess that makes me QUEEN today!  (YEA,RIGHT)

anyway, here's a little diddy I made last night, I am entering it in Delicious Doodles for a DT call. Everyone please keep a positive thought for me :)

 I have two angles so you can see the embossing on the black card stock.

Card stock by STAMPIN' UP, Patterned paper rec'd as a RAK Flower by PRIMA MARKETING. Coloring by PRISMACOLOR pencils (I only have the 24 set, and my black is just about gone)

Digi sentiment is by TLC CREATIONS, Sexy Goth Girl digi by DELICIOUS DOODLES.

Embossing folder is Bubbles by CUTTLEBUG. Misc. ribbon slightly inked over to make it darker.

 

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
Whoopsie Daisy ...anything but Square
Ribbon Carousel ... get edgy
Top Tip Tuesday ...no curved edges
Freshly Brewed Challenges ...CAS with less than 3 embellishments
Do You Stack Up ... embossing
Cute Card Thursday ...CAS
Inspire Me Fridays ...anything goes
Digis with Attitude ...anything goes
Crafty Catz ...embossing

"IT" is on again this year...I am excited already... time to party 9/24...

"IT", or course is the Practical Magic blog party(hop)! I hope many of you will sign up :D I had SUCH A BLAST last year!


link for deets:
http://frostedpetunias.blogspot.com/2011/08/midnight-margaritas-anyone.html?showComment=1313063711115#c2553305399916356063

From here you'll be directed to the actual info page to sign up, get more info and pick up a button for your blog...like mine to the left :)

Happy 70th Birthday...

To my hubster Ron!! ( Sunday)  My sweet grump in his usual form didn't want any hoopla! However, I indeed made in a card to note how I felt honored to have been with him for 27 of his birthdays :)

Occasionally I give more detail or embellishments on his cards, but he always says make it simple and safe for fancy stuff for your swaps or etsy (...if you ever actually do it, LOL)

so to me, this is a CAS card.

 

I cheated and scanned it, and while it looked great the other night when I edited it, now, I see the white is a bit red tinted. That is what happens when your Comp. monitor is on it's way out and you are on pain meds, LOL! (don't hold it against me)

Ok onto the deets!

Real red card stock by STAMPIN' UP, white card stock by GEORGIA-PACIFIC, printed paper...old scraps. Black German scraps by COLLAGE STUFF, I used MARTHA STEWART'S half daisy border punch (for lack of remembering it's real name)  down the outside edge of the card, and attached a strip of the black small plaid paper under it to be even with the back edge of the card. then then I used the same black small plaid paper  (a strip) over a wider strip of red checked paper behind the image and the sentiment. The German Scrap is running down the folded side of the card.

The "country Path" image(a country path or road that leads to a farm in the distance, at the front of the path are wild orchids)* is colored with markers by STAMPIN' UP.  I used white Enamel accents by RANGER to fill in the open holes of the daisy border punch and I put a dot on each corner of the image, it almost looks like brads (the scanner flattened them a bit more than I wanted but...)

"Country Path" digi image by DIGI DOODLE SHOP

The sentiment is by RAINDROP ECHO DESIGNS: 

"A birthday is just the first day of another 365 day journey around the sun" it comes with a smaller..."enjoy the journey" which I placed on the inside left of the card, as I did my own writing on the inside right.*

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Birthday Sundaes ...Birthday

One Stitch at a Time ...use a digi

Victorine Stamps ...Birthday

KB Cute Mondays ...use a digi

Anything Goes ...Birthday

A Spoonful of Sugar ...Birthday

Cards for Men ...CAS

Tuesday Throwdown ...Birthday

Card Making Mama ...Birthday

Frosted Designs ...Color in an Image

Craft your days Away ...Birthday

(* is for my sight impaired readers)

Monday Muse-a short one

Why can't SEASONED bloggers and even members of BLOG HOPS and/or DESIGN TEAMS learn how to link properly?  Are they afraid to ask how?  I was only a blogger for a week or so before I started asking other bloggers questions, so I could do things the "correct" way.

It amazes me, even now going on my second blogoversary how many people still LINK to their entire blog instead of to the POST that has the information or the art project they are sharing. In these circumstances more often than not the actual post that is supposed to be linked is usually 2-3 posts down, and the visitor is forced to go searching. When it is a single link etc, it isn't sooo bad, but when on a blog hop, and you have numerous other places to visit, having to search for the right post is time consuming.

SO, my followers and readers, WHY do you think so many bloggers  do NOT link properly???

SMUDGEFEST DAY 7 -SYNONYMOUS SUNDAY

Welcome to the 7th and last day of SMUDGEFEST!!

Today's challenge was an easy one...use a BRAND NEW digi image by SMEARED INK that they supplied to us FREE...
please make the acquaintance of CALYPSO the rat:

IMAGE removed, due to lack of watermark.

I knew RIGHT AWAY, what I was going to do with him. (which is sad...I have been spending too much time with the SnS gang I think, LOL)  But once again I was having a very bad day with my back and my knee.  Plus I was trying also to finish my Vincent Price piece for Macabre monday at Haunted Design House (my first...hopefully not my last)

Anyway here is what I did to poor Calypso:

Relatively simple, until my black prismacolor pencil  totally died(the damn thing kept breaking even during sharpening...I an guessing it was broken up inside)
Card stock by STAMPIN" UP, Color Pencils- PRISMACOLOR and  blending pencil.
scraps of MARTHA STEWART paper. Rat digi by SMEARED INK. Sentiment Digi by MELJEN DESIGNS and my own. (thin sharpie)
Cinnamon and Christmas red Stickles by RANGER

I am entering this in:

For Fun Challenges ...Anthing goes

Little Red Wagon ...put a critter on it

Crafts n Me ...anything goes

Amber's Crafts & Stuff ...sparkle

Inspire me Fridays ...anything goes

Raise the Bar ...anything goes

Stamp Something ...use a digi

Dare to be Sassy Thursdays ...Sentiment on front

Sweet Stamps ... HOT summer
Clear it out ...Summer
Paper Take Weekly ...anything goes
Cards for Men ...CAS
Tuesday Throwdown ...Summertime
Moving Along With the Times ...non-square items
Forever Night Freaky Friday ...good OR evil
Digis With Attitude ...anything goes
Wags n Whiskers ...sparkle
Crafty Anne's Challenge ...summertime
Frosted Designs ...color an image
Creative Inspirations ...summertime
Catch the Bug Challenges ...anything goes

 

Macabre Monday at Haunted Design House--VIVP

This is my first ever Macabre Monday here at HDH...
 The challenge this week is to make something VINCENT PRICE related in honor of his turning 100 this year (back in May) and in honor of HDH's 100th post.

I made a Tribute to Vincent Price in the form of a Triptych Gothic Arch

The front; right flap

a wonderful portrait in True Hollywood Star Style!

 The  Left flap

Vincent and his fellow Horror Buddies:

Peter Lorre, Bella Lagosi, and Boris Karloff

this is a great picture but awful photo (I am going to try again---you can see it much clearer in the combined photo below)  I went ahead and scanned it

 The inside, with just a short mini bio of his introduction into the entertainment business

The back, also showing the 2 front flaps

there is a bit of filmography here on the back.

Close-ups:

The card stock started out as a solid Ivory.

I misted it all over with Solar Gold Radiant Rain, Iridescent Green Radiant Rain, Yellow Iridescent Radiant Rain by LUMINARTE and Bronze, Copper and Jack-O-Lantern Shimmering mists by TATTERED ANGELS, then used a Flourishes Stencil by LAYERS OF COLOR, along with  Deep Violet Shimmering Mist by LUMINARTE. In places it looks violet, and some others more of a dark gray, but above all it is stunningly sparkly & shimmery!

All of the images of Mr. Price are from the Internet search that HDH provided. I I turned one green immediately. Another I placed into "paint" and blacked out everything but his fave and hand with knife (this was actually a photo of him playing around in the kitchen with a roast of some type while wearing a striped apron, his other hand held a "sword-style" knife sharpener)

After it was blacked out I turned the remaining part of the image into red.

I used self-adhesive Matte Sparkle Bats and self-adhesive Epoxy Glitter blood Splats; both by MARTHA STEWART.

Both excerpts on this Triptych were also gathered at the sites HDH recommended.

I am entering this in the following other challenges:

Forever Night Freaky Friday ...Good OR Evil

Moving Along with the Times ...NON-square

Amber's Crafts n Stuff ...sparkle

Inspire Me Fridays ...Anything goes

Raise the Bar ...anything goes

For Fun challenges ...anything goes

Crafts n Me ...anything goes

Paper Take Weekly ...anything goes

Cute Card Thursday ...no designer paper

The Crafty Purple Frog ...anything but a card