Perhaps the greatest joy in life is to watch your children and then your grandchildren grow and thrive. Well my twin granddaughters have done just that!

They started out so tiny. But they were fierce.

They have both always had such kind and loving hearts towards their family, their peers and all creatures great and small.

Now they are graduating from high school and are off to college in a couple of months.

They’ve worked so hard. In fact, K is her class’s Valedictorian! Wow! Right!!

Both girls are so smart and talented. (And I’m not at all bias! lol)

I’ve added lots of layers and dimension to their cards. Since I will be hand delivering them, I didn’t have to be concerned with mailing issues. Even added some metal flowers and large rhinestones. Now that was fun!

Inside the card, the sentiment panel was popped up with foam tape on three sides. One side was left open to form a pocket for the ever important graduation reward.

Congratulatons, girls! Love you and am so proud of the beautiful young women you have become.

Challenges:

Addicted to Stamps and More: “Challenge #429 – Any Occasion”

Crafting Happiness Challenges: “#123 May: Always Anything Goes”

Craftyhazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge: “May 2022: Use Patterned Paper”

Love To Craft Challenge Blog: “LTCCB #68 Anything Goes”

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog: “Layer It Up”

Happy Crafting!
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Stamps: Unity Stamp Company “Graduation Wishes”

Papers: PTI Select White and True Black; We R Memoroy Keepers “Indian Summer” Designer Paper; Basic Grey “Little Black Dress” Designer Paper

Inks: Printer; Copics:

Accessories: Ric Rak Ribbon; Basic Grey “Metal Flowers”

Here’s a birthday card for my son who just recently adopted one of the sweetest smartest little dogs ever from a rescue shelter!

I used the die to cut several pieces of the dog shape and then glued them all together onto the stamped colored image.

This made the piece thick and sturdy, so foam tape wasn’t needed to “pop” it up.

Couldn’t resist a picture of Benny. He was living on the streets, but now he has a cozy warm bed with lots of blankets by the fireplace. Love this sweet little guy.

Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps and More: Challenge #418 – Birthdays
Aud Sentiments: #288 Anything Goes + A Sentiment
Cardz 4 Guys: #284 Gingham, Checks or Plaid
Craftyhazelnut’s Patterned Paper: November 2021 Challenge
Critter Crazy: Challenge #56 – Anything Goes with a Featured Critter
Happy Little Stampers: Anything Goes with Dies
Happy Little Stampers: CAS Challenge – Loveable Pets
Love to Craft: LTCCB #64 – November Anything Goes

Happy Crafting!
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Stamps: Tim Holtz “Dog Talk” and “Things/Talk”

Papers: PTI Select White; Simple Stories “I Am” Designer Paper

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics:

Accessories: Cardboard; 1/2″ Corner Punch; Tim Holtz “Dog Talk” Die

Grandma’s garden just grew a little bit more!  Haven’t been able to hold him yet, but did get to see him in person.

Of course, I had to make him a welcome card!

This was so fun, and I always love the little surprise that a shaped card delivers.  Here is a template:

Challenges:

Simon Says Monday Challenge: Celebrate!

The Card Concept #HOL20: Christmas Tree, Holiday Decor or Fav 2020 Card Challenge

Die Cut Divas Challenge Blog: Anything Goes (Use a Die or Embossing Folder)

Love to Craft Challenge Blog LTCCB #53: December Anything Goes

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge WWC302: Marsha’s Special 3-Week Anything Goes Challenge

International Art & Soul Ch#98: Anything Goes with a Bow

The Creative Crafter Challenge #35: Anything Goes

Happy Crafting!
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Stamps: SU “Something for Baby” and “Everything Baby”

Papers: PTI Select White, Aqua Mist, Lemon Tart and Limeade Ice

Inks: SU Taken with Teal, Old Olive, Summer Sun and Sage Shadow

Accessories: White Taffeta Ribbon; SU “Baby’s First” Framelits Dies

Here’s a quick CAS card that has been 43 years in the making.  That’s right… 43 years.  So how can I say it’s quick if it took 43 years?  hehe

Well this quick CAS card is for my hubby, and today is our 43rd wedding anniversary.

Happy us.

These little ladybugs are playing along in some challenges, too.

Simon Says: Snow White (use a lot of white)

CASology: Week 274: TINY

Challenge #267 – Make Your Mark

Challenge LTCCB #16 – November Anything Goes

Challenge #27 Anything Goes

Challenge #133 – CAS

Challenge Blog Week 387 – Love and Peace, Man

Happy Crafting!
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Stamps: SU “Love You Lots” and “Gorgeous Grunge”

Papers: PTI Select White and Pure Poppy

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics:

Accessories: Heart Brad

My son took this picture as we were cleaning up after a sunset surf last summer.  That’s my hubby.  And that’s the beautiful sunset that inspired my card today.

The cardstock was masked to leave a large strip where several sunset colors were sponged onto it.  I’ve said this before but it absolutely makes me giddy when the masking is removed and there is this crisp contrasting line of ink. 

When a sympathy card is needed, it can be hard to feel creative.  Fortunately this card is just for my stash, but it’s nice to have one on hand.

Playing along in a few challenges:

Simon Says Monday Challenge: “The Great Outdoors”

City Crafter Challenge: “Week #360 – You Can Do It!”

Aud Sentiments Challenge: “#179 Flowers + A Sentiment”

STAMPlorations CAS Card Challenge: “Anything CAS Goes”

Die Cut Diva’s Challenge: “May Challenge – May Flowers or Trees, Bushes and Grass”

Happy Crafting!
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Stamps: SU “Wild About Flowers” and “So Sorry”

Papers: PTI Select White and True Black

Inks: SU Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Ruby Red and Not Quite Navy; Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Spellbinders Oval Nestabilities Die

Is January really almost over?!?  Between all the Holiday activities, building a house and hitting the slopes, I have been helping my son’s girlfriend make some fun and crafty projects for her 1st grade classroom.  I need to visit her class and take some pictures of the agenda strips and job charts, the library checkout system and the attendance magnet board to name a few of the projects I’ve worked on played with.  It has been quite a journey for her as she travels through her first year of teaching!  And it’s been so fun for me that she has let me help her “decorate” her classroom!

Well it’s good to finally be back in my craft room making a few cards.

Made this one with a few challenges in mind to help get the rusty creative side brushed off:

Less Is More: Week 260 Recipe to include a SILHOUETTE in your creations.

Inkspirational Challenges: Challenge #100 – Blast from the Past – Chose Color Challenge #59 – blue with white or cream.

Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: Challenge #147 Anything Goes + A Sentiment

This second card is for my DBIL.

Again used some challenges to help get the cobwebs out of my brain!

Cardz 4 Guys Challenge Blog: Challenge #104 Spots and or Stripes

Addicted to CAS: Challenge #80 – Code Word RED

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge Blog: Anything Goes

CAS(E) this Sketch!: Sketch #156

Hope to be back soon.
Happy Crafting!
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Blue Card:

Stamps: PTI “Brushed Off” and “Think Big Favorites #12”; SU “For All Things”

Papers: PTI Select White

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Not Quite Navy and Handsome Hunter

Accessories: Sequins

Red Card:

Stamps: SU “Gorgeous Grunge” and “Bombs Away Birthday”

Papers: PTI Select White and Pure Poppy; Doodlebug Design “October 31st” Designer Paper

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Real Red

Accessories: Baker’s Twine; Button, Washi Tape

Here are the cards for my twin granddaughters’ birthday this year.

The icing on the cupcakes was popped up with foam tape for some depth and dimension.

A strip of the designer paper was added on the inside, too.

And of course their favorite part of the card… the money!  lol

Since they live so far away its hard to know exactly what they want/need.  But this year I had some cupcakes delivered to them that I ordered from a local bakery there.  One can always use cupcakes!

Challenges:

Simon Says Monday Challenge: “Stamp and Punch/Die Cut”

Papertake Weekly Challenge: “Things With Wings”

Seize the Birthday: “Anything Goes”

House of Cards September Challenge: “Stitch It Up!”

Craftyhazelnut’s Patterned Paper September Challenge: “Use Patterned Paper”

Happy Crafting!
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Stamps: SU “Sprinkles of Life” and “Papillon Potpourri”

Papers: PTI Select White; SU “Pretty Petals” Designer Series Paper Stack

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Basic Black; Copics:

Accessories: Rhinestones; Sequins; Grosgrain Ribbon; SU “Tree Builder” Punch and “Elegant Butterfly” Punch; Spellbinders “A2 Curved Borders” Die