Merry Christmas!!!

I couldn't let Christmas pass by without popping in and wishing all of my online friends a wonderful Christmas.  I hope you all have a joyous Christmas and that 2011 will be a great year for you!

The project I have to show you today is a Christmas wall hanging.  I found the wonderful vintage image and the vintage background music for my wall hanging at The Graphics Fairy, which is a terrific blog.  Karen offers thousands of vintage images for free. I used vintage lace and antique buttons for embellishments.

I wanted to share a few pictures with you from the evening that Mark and I went out looking at Christmas lights.  Our evening ended with our own private light show by a policeman, because the van had a light out and we didn't realize it. :)

This first picture is my favorite, because it shows a Florida style Christmas - a Palm tree wrapped in lights.

This picture was just too cute to pass up. :) 

Blessings 

• My dear, sweet husband, who has pitched in to do so much for the holidays.
• Someone gave us a phone system, in great used condition, that is what I needed to accommodate my neck problems.
• A special time with family at a gathering.
• That we have Christmas to remind us that God gave us His only son.

Have a fabulous day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Fairy Song

Hi friends. It's great to be back!!! Weeks of only limited use of my arms was very boring. lol Thank God for audio books. I'm still not back to 100%, so won't be able to leave many blog comments yet, but that too will come with time. Thank you all so very much for your prayers, messages, emails and cards. They have meant the world to me.

This card is for the Flutterby Wednesday Challenge, Alys Sunday Sketch, Raise the Bar, Paper Play Challenges, Crafty Catz Weekly.  I used Shimmerz on the wings and accented the pocket heart and hair flowers with Stickles.

Blessings

• The love and caring from my family and friends as I have recovered from my surgeries.
• My husband finished his last class with a 99.8% grade average!!!
• I lost 8 lb. due to feeling so bad from the surgeries! Please pray I can keep it off.

It is unseasonably cold here. It dropped 20* the other day and it has sure been a shock to this warm weather lover. :~)  I don't know how people deal with winter clothes, blankets, etc. on a regular basis.  They're so cumbersome.  Okay, enough whining. lol

Have a terrific day!!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Have to be away

Tomorrow morning I'm having the first of two neck surgeries.  The second one will be on October 13th.  They were scheduled for a week apart and I chickened out on having them that close together. lol   I hope to be back feeling more creative after I'm healed up.  The amount of pain I'm in has really affected both my creativity and my ability to create. See you in awhile.

Inky hugs!
Shelly

So blessed!

I won stamps from two different blog hops and hadn't posted about it yet, because I was hoping to make cards with the stamps I won to go with my post.  Due to very bad pain I've been having, the cards are partially finished on my desk and I'm not up to completing them right now.  So, I'll show you the stamps I won and another time I'll show the cards.

First, I won a darling set of clear stamps called "Celebrate Sophia" from Paper Pretties.  I love this set.  The multiple sentiments make it so versatile and Sophia is so sweet that I just fell in love with her instantly.  Thank you very much Heather and Paper Pretties for this fabulous set of stamps.

Next I won 5 digital stamps of my choice from Paper Cupcakes.  It sure was hard to make up my mind, but I finally chose the five I did, because I love the delightful little scenes that Nina draws.  Thanks so very much Nina and Paper cupcakes for these awesome digital stamps.

Ronan and Izzy - Christmas Surprise

 

Yarah and Blow

 

Lily's Morning Tea 

 

Ladybug Rides 

 

Beached Boat 

 

Now you can see why I'm feeling so very blessed. :~)

Have a wonderful day!!!!

Inky hugs!

Shelly

Stamping Cat-astrophe

Both of these stamps are old favorites of mine.  Unfortunately, I've forgotten the names of the manufacturers.  If anyone knows, please let me know.  I added Crystal Lacquer to the eyes of the cat to make them look real and used my clear glaze pen on the stamped paw prints.  This card is for a friend who is battling cancer.  Please remember him in prayer.

I'm entering my card in these challenges:

Cute Card Thursday - Dieing for a punch- No die cutting machines or punches can be used.
Stamping Sister's in Christ - Proverbs 27:17 -Use Metal
CES challenge - Anything Goes

Blessings

• Received my first Zentangle from a friend. Awesome creativity!!!
• Hubby found some good used books for me.  I was almost out.  
• A phone call from a friend I hadn't talked to in awhile.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Pretty Posies

I'm really sleepy, so I'll keep this short.  This card is for the Sentimental Sundays Challenge.  This weeks challenge theme is Words to Inspire.  My main image is an older stamp from TAC.   I used a word charm for my sentiment.  The main image is painted with Twinkling H2O's, but you can't see the shimmer in my photo, unfortunately. Please pray for my friend that I made this card for.  She's recovering from major surgery.

 Blessings

• I saw my first Monarch butterfly of this season.
• Fabulous happy mail!!!
• An evening out with my husband this week.

 Have a great day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

From the House of Mouse

Yes, we have a mouse in our house and not just on my adorable House Mouse stamps.  This is the real thing!  My daughter saw it, much to her dismay.  I don't know why those little furry critters scare me so much when they come out of some place unexpectedly, but they do.  I hope we catch this one soon.  We've also had an abundance of the huge wolf spiders lately.  Shouldn't the mice or spiders be eating each other?  I shouldn't admit to these creepy crawlies.  Now no one will want to come see me. lol

Anyhow, on to the real purpose of this blog entry, my card.  This card is for the Stamping Sisters in Christ Challenge.  This weeks challenge is based on Proverbs 17:22 "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.".  Our challenge is to make a humorous card.  The yummy cake image is from Bee Crafty Digitals.  I'm afraid I don't know who makes the awesome sentiment.  It's a freebie, that I missed marking the company on, when I downloaded it.  I sincerely apologize for this.  If anyone knows who makes this digi stamp, please let me know, so that I can give proper credit. 

Blessings

•  My hubby finished a class that was stressful for him and did very well. He finishes his degree in October!!!!
• My sick fur baby is getting better.
• New blinds in our bedroom.  They look so nice and they're room darkening. Oh yeah!!!

Have a marvelous day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Wishing you a sunny day!

It's time to flutter!  This card is for the Flutterby Wednesday challenge.  I used a sweet digital image from Paper Cupcakes.

Here's a close up of the image.  Isn't that lady bug darling?

Blessings

• Everything is looking so green and lush after the rain we've had.  My back window looks out on to the woods and I so enjoy my view.
• We received a free gift certificate to Woody's BBQ yesterday.  That meant we could get take out for supper after a loooonnnggg week. :)

Have a wonderful day!!!

Inky hugs!

Shelly

Believe in Yourself!

Today's card is for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge.  This weeks challenge is based on Philippians 3:13-14 "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  I used a digital image from Create with TLC.

I printed the image twice, so that I could cut the flower out and pop it up with double stick foam tape.


Blessings

• Air conditioning - we were married for about 6 years before we had air conditioning in our home here in Florida. I try hard to remember that it's a blessing not everyone has.

•  Our dogs - they enrich our lives with their love and antics.

Have a marvelous day!!!


Inky hugs!
Shelly

Baby, it's cold outside!

My card is a wintery theme, but here in Florida it's a typical hot, sunny August day.  The sky is such a gorgeous bright blue with big, white fluffy clouds in it.  My kind of day!

I made this card for the Ice Maiden challenge at Dezinaworld.  I used a digital image from Pollycraft.

 I added Stickles to the trim on the hat and coat and the snowflake embellishment.  I used faux flower soft that my friend, Becky, made for me on the snow.

Blessings

• My sweet daughter who checks to make sure I have my sunscreen on when I'm going to be out in the sun.
• Friends - both online and in person. :)

Have a wonderful day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Just Fluttering By!

Hi friends.  I hope you all are having a great weekend.  It's raining here, but I'm happy with that, because we really need the rain. 

This card is for the Flutterby Challenge at Flutterby Wednesday.  This week's challenge is to use your favorite color, so, of course, my card had to be pink. :)  The template for this card is a nice freebie from Cuddly Buddly.

The other day when I arrived home from my water therapy this darling little guy was standing right by the fence watching me.  He was so cute that I just had to take his picture.  I find it amusing that the cows watch me like I'm interesting to them. lol

Blessings

• Much needed rain several days this week!!!
• My hubby found a whole bunch of good used books for me yesterday.

Have a fabulous day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

A Very Stylish Award!

I received this lovely award from Ira.  It was such a nice surprise!  Thanks so much, Ira. :)

I'm supposed to share 5 stylish things about myself.


1. My style of dress is casual and comfortable.
2. I love earrings. I feel naked without just the right pair to wear with every outfit.
3. My favorite colors for clothing are jewel tones.
4. I adore trying all different scents of bubble bath. My favorite is Tropical Delight.
5. I can't wear eye make-up anymore due to my eye condition and I really miss it sometimes.

Now I get to pass the award on to 5 very deserving blog owners.  I've chosen these ladies, because I enjoy their blogs so much. Maria, Holley, Becky, Sue, and Tammy.  Thank you for the inspiration I receive from each of you.

Have a great day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Breathless!

Here's a fun card made with a sentiment from Create with TLC.   I used my Stardust pen on the colored letters to add some glitz.

Blessings

• My little dog cornered a possum and wasn't injured.
• A phone visit with my mom.
• My loving family who is always there for me.

Have a fabulous day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

I'm Baacckkk!!!!

Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers while I was away.  They meant so much to me.  My eyes are doing well now.

Today's card is made with a digital image and sentiment from Create with TLC.   I used real sand to embellish the card.

 Blessings

• My cd player quit and my hubby found another one at a garage sale that fits even better in my space.  I love to listen to music while I craft.
• Happy mail today!!!!
• An answer to prayer for a need we had that wasn't in our budget.  Praise God!!!

Have a terrific day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Eye'll Be Back!

Hi! This is Shelly's husband, Mark. Shelly asked me to post an explanation as to why she has not been active on her blog lately.  Shortly after her last post, Shelly's chronic eye condition flared up, and she has been unable to engage in activities that strain and irritate this ailment.  Although she misses sharing and interacting with her blogging friends, she will not be able to resume posting until her health improves.  We pray that it will be very soon.

The #1 recipient of those Inky Hugs-
Mark

Hello Kitty

Happy weekend everyone!  I hope you're getting a chance to do something enjoyable.  My birthday was yesterday and I must say that I had a wonderful day.  It was filled with family, friends, phone calls, mail, email, FB messages, good food, chocolate and gifts.  You can't top that!

I needed to make some things with Hello Kitty on them and all I could find to work with was party napkins with Hello Kitty.  So that's what I used.  A friend taught me a technique with napkins where they come out nice and glittery, so I used that technique on my projects. First up is a framed picture.  IRL the background of the Hello Kitty picture is very glittery.  These photos were taken at night, so I apologize for the poor quality.

Next is a journal and pen.  Once again the background of the Hello Kitty picture is very glittery IRL.  The pen is filled with glitter.  I suggest gluing the pen shut if you do this, so that it can't be opened and spilled. 

And here is the back of the journal.  Once again the glittery background doesn't show in the photo. :)

Blessings

• My nephew and niece were in a bad go-cart accident.  We're very thankful that a broken arm was the only injury, besides bruises.  Please pray for my nephew as his arm heals.
• The outpouring of love from family and friends for my birthday.

Have a fabulous day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

An Attitude of Gratitude

I hope you're having a great day in your corner of the world.  It has been a quiet, but good day here.

This card is made with a digital image from Meljen's Designs.  Here is the link to her blog.  From there you can go to her store or her challenge blog.

I colored the image with Primsacolor pencils and chalk.  I added little flowers and crystals for some dimension.  I used Crystal Lacquer on the bear's eyes and nose.  I finished the image off with a few touches of Stickles.

A Favorite Thing:
Here's a beautiful visitor that I had in my back yard recently.  The photo was taken through the window, so it isn't the best quality.

Blessings

• Time spent with a special friend.
• A card from my daughter with a very meaningful message.
• My computer - I use it for so many things.

Have a fabulous day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

A Fish Bowl Card for a Friend

Hi friends.  I hope you've had a great day.  It has been a gorgeous day here.  Sunny and very warm.  I love bright, sunny days.

This was a fun card to make.  I made the card in the shape of the gold fish bowl.  I covered the front of the card with clear laminate to make it look like glass.  I used Shimmerz on the gold fish.  I apologize for the poor quality of the picture.  I had to take it at night.  It really washed out the colors.

A little side note about this card.  The person I sent it to was playing a fish game on FB at the time, so he got a laugh out of getting a fish card.  I love it when that kind of thing happens with a card.  I believe God orchestrates even small happenings like that.

Blessings

• A friend that's in the hospital has stabilized.
• More happy mail!!!
• A really good day, despite the fact that I have a lot to do and have some big things weighing on me emotionally.

Have a fabulous day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Monkey Fun

I needed to make some monkey theme items for a gift and this is what I came up with:

The card is fun and bright for a child.

I put a store bought necklace in this altered tin.

This is an altered pack of gum. :)

Blessings

• My daughter achieved some goals that she needed to for work today.
• Happy Mail!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

A Hidden Message

Just a quick post, because I'm really tired tonight. This card had a hidden message for the person who received it.  The flowers are a tag that pull out of the pot and you can write or stamp a message on it.

Here's a closer view of the flowers and pot.

Blessings

• Our friend, Lloyd, is able to drive now with only a few restrictions.  Some of you will remember that he had a serious accident last year.  God has brought him so far!
• Everything is so green and beautiful when I look out my windows and the flowers are all in bloom.  It's gorgeous!!!  I never tire of looking at it.

Have a fabulous day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Back at Last!

Wow! I sure was gone for a long time.  I won't bore you with the details of why I was away so long.  But one super thing did happen during that time.  My mom spent the winter with us!!!  That was so special, because I only get to see her every few years.

Lately I've made a couple altered pop top cans to hold birthday gifts or money.  I've kept them on the simple side, because they were both for young guys.  Plus my hubby and I both thought it was more fun to keep them looking like a can.  If I ever do one for a girl though, I know I'll have to get the embellishments and glitter out. :)

Click here for the instructions to make these fun cans.  It takes you to SplitCoastStampers. I think these would be such a fun surprise to receive in the mail and be able to pop the top off and find a gift or money inside.

One of the cans is a gift from my husband and his students to someone.  My husband had each student write a note to the person and then he shrank the notes on the copier.  The notes are in the can in a tiny envelope.  We added a small magnifying glass for reading the notes. :)  Plus a gift card and some candy, of course.

I loved my One Touch can opener even before I found out that I could use it to make these gift cans.  But being able to use it to make these gift cans is such an added bonus. :)

Blessings

• My husband's back injury has improved enough for him to drive short distances around town now.
• Friends who mowed, trimmed and cleaned up the back yard for us without being asked, because Mark can't do that right now.
• A terrific phone visit with my mom.  I sure do miss having her here.

Have a fabulous day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Pretty in Pink

Here's another card made with some of the beautiful, new stamps from My Paper Moon.  You can see them here.  Use coupon code val20 at the checkout to receive 20% off your order.  (U.S. orders only.)

This close up shot shows the images better.  The different textures and types of surfaces on this card made it hard to photograph.

Blessings

• My husband is starting to feel much better.
• A nice phone visit with a friend.
• My daughter is getting to spend some special time with my mom while she's here with us.

 Please pray for Holley.  She has the first of two brain surgeries tomorrow morning (Feb. 4th) and the second one on February 11th.  Some of you probably know her from her blog, Holley's Blog.

Have a terrific day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

A Fairy Nice Birthday Card

Hi friends.  Today's card is for the Flutterby Wednesday Challenge.  A big thank you to my friend, Jennifer, for this darling fairy image that I used on the card.  She was so much fun to color.

I added Stickles to the heart on the cupcake and the fairy's hat.  I painted the fairy's wings with Shimmerz.  of course, the cupcakes had to be chocolate. :)

We've been having another visitor, besides my mom, and this one isn't nearly as welcome, although he sure is cute.  A raccoon has been coming up on our back porch every night and eating out of our squirrel-proof bird feeder.  Obviously the feeder isn't raccoon-proof. :) Our little dog chased the coon up a tree several times when we didn't know the coon was out in the yard.  Now she thinks she a big, ol' tough, coon dog and drives me crazy wanting out every evening to get at that coon. :)  This photo was taken at night, through the window, but you can still see the little rascal quite well.

Blessings

• My visit with a new Dr. went very well.
• Living in a place where I can enjoy nature.
• We received some big, juicy apples - yum!

Have an awesome day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Sunnin'

Hello everyone.  Wow! So much time has passed since I last posted.  I've been battling Trigeminal Neuralgia for weeks now and that has really set me back.  The really wonderful thing that is going on is that my mom is here for a 2 1/2 month visit!!!  I'm soaking up every minute with her that I can, because I only get to see her every couple of years. There's no one that can take the place of your mom.

Today's card is another one of my Florida/beach cards that I love to make.  We have tons of these little lizards around and once in awhile "in" our home, so this stamp seemed like it was made just for me.

In this close up view you can see that I used real sand on the card and Crystal Lacquer on the lizard's sunglass lenses.

Today's card is for a 13 year old girl named Amber.  Amber is seriously ill and loves to receive mail.  Please pray for Amber and her family and send a card if you can.

Amber Dougherty
c/o Tony and April Sharer
2766 Bald Eagle Pike
Tyrone, PA 16686

Here's a a bit more about Amber from her facebook group:

Amber Dougherty is a 13 year old from Tyrone, PA and is suffering from Severe Intractable Epilepsy, with a sadly grim prognosis. According to an email sent by a family member, the doctors don't expect for her to be with us next Christmas. Since Amber likes to receive mail, her family is organizing a card drive so that Amber can get mail from all over. She also has a more informative webpage at http://prayernet.geisinger.org Her case is labeled damo56. 

Photo is from Jan 21

Join their Facebook Group if you'd like more info on Amber's progress, or would like to donate to help the family financially.
Blessings

• Time with my mom.
• Happy mail.
• My family has been terrific about helping while I've been in such pain.
• My daughter's friend had a safe trip here today.

Have a fabulous day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Bronson and Beaker

I got sidetracked and didn't finish showing all of my Christmas cards before the new year, so I still have a few more to show.   This card is made with an adorable digital image from Pollycraft called "Bronson and Beaker Star".  Be sure and visit the Tales from Pollycraft blog too.  There are great challenges and free digital images there.  My photos were taken at night so they aren't the best, but they're all I have.

I forgot to tell you that we got up too early for the dogs on Christmas. :)  They weren't even interested in their gifts, because they were too tired.  Later, after a long nap, they both were like different dogs and were all excited about their new toys and treats. Here's my sleepy grand dog before his nap.

 Blessings

• Loving family and friends.
• Lydia has been making supper lately.
• The most special husband there is.

Wherever you are located, I pray that you are keeping warm enough.  It seems it's very cold everywhere right now.

Inky hugs!
Shelly