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

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

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

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

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

See It Shimmer

Hi friends.  It's an overcast day here on the Treasure Coast of Florida.  I had a hard time getting a photo of my card.  It's not the best picture, but you get the idea. :)  This card is made with a technique I learned from Becky at My Adventures in Stamping.

Blessings

• A wonderful online radio station with Christian Christmas music - this station offers that and so much more. And they broadcast in many different languages - you choose.   http://www.bbnradio.org/   
• Mark added another light to my craft area.  Wow! I feel like I went from a cave to a sunny beach. :)
• Happy mail :)
• The fun, teasing moments that happen every day around here with my family.

Be open to what God wants to do through you today.

Inky hugs!
Shelly

A - Maze- ing

A card at last!!!  Between a flu bug and the holiday I just haven't been able to get many cards finished.  I'll warn you in advance that I am very much a hit and miss blogger during the holidays.  I like to cherish every bit of family time we can get and I get busy with preparations.  And in the midst of all that I try to make sure that I take time to remember the real reason for Christmas - the birth of Jesus.

This card is for my niece, who just turned seven.  I wanted to make something fun and I remembered seeing this maze in a Paper Creations magazine that Mark bought for me several months ago.

Blessings

• A super, special husband.  Mark cooked Thanksgiving dinner, because I was still feeling really sick.  We're still enjoying the yummy leftovers.
• My mil brought us cornbread dressing and apple dumplings for our dinner.  She's a terrific cook too.
• Back to my special husband - he surprised me with some warm pajamas and remembered the style, the fabric and size I like without asking.  And they're pretty too. :)  What a fabulous guy!!!  The pjs have felt so good during this cold snap we've had. 

Please pray for my daughter, Lydia.  She's sick now.

Is there anything I can pray about for you?  If so, leave a comment or email me at webe34him@bellsouth.net.

*** Watch for a bit of blog candy coming soon. :)

Have a marvelous day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

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A Special Birthday Card & Candy Winner

I'm still hoping to hear from my blog candy winner, Doris from The Stamping Tower.  Please email me with your address, Doris.

This is the card that I made for my daughter, Lydia, for her birthday.  The card is blue, because that's Lydia's favorite color. :)

The "sugar" on the cupcake is vintage glass glitter that my friend, Becky, gave me.  It looks so real for things like this.  The tulips are 3-d'd on double stick tape.  Tilda's hair bow is paper sculpted to make it puffy.  Tilda is 3-d'd on double stick tape.

Blessings

• Some good news at my doctor visit today.
• Happy Mail - I know you see this one often, but I do love to receive mail. :)
• Our friend's birthday is the day after Lydia's.  Our friend turned 99 this year!  This dear lady still plays the piano for our Sunday morning church service.  

Have a fabulous day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Veterans Day Blog Hop

Welcome to the Veterans Day Blog Hop.  If this is your first stop, you may want to start at the beginning of the hop which is here at the Home Front Blog.   Today's blog hop is being hosted by Operation Write Home.  Operation Write Home is a wonderful organization that collects handmade cards to send to our nation's deployed heroes (troops) to send home to their families and friends.  They also collect Any Hero cards to send to heroes that aren't getting much mail or just need a lift.  I'm proud to be a card maker for Operation Write home and our nation's heroes.  I hope you'll join us in making cards. Operation Write Home makes it so simple to get the cards to the troops.  Their web site contains all the info you need to get started.

With Veterans Day in mind, I'd like to give a heartfelt thank you to the many people who have served and are still serving our country.  We wouldn't have our wonderful USA if it wasn't for you. 

My first card is an Any Hero card.  Any Hero cards are sent with a note written in them and the envelope is addressed to "Any Hero".  Upon reaching their destination these cards are handed out to those who need them the most.  I apologize for the poor photo of this card.  It came out dark looking no matter what I did. 

My second card is a Valentine for a hero to send home to family or friends.  Valentine's Day is the holiday that we're making cards for at Operation Write Home at this time.  This is a fun little shaker card.  I thought it might be something a bit different to send.

I'm offering this set of Inkadinkado Patterned Birds and Bugs clear stamps for my blog candy on this blog hop.  All you have to do to win is leave me a comment.  My candy is open to everyone.  My blog candy will be open through Monday, November 16th.  I'll announce the winner in the evening on Tuesday, November 17th.

Thanks for hopping by today. Your next stop on the hop is Maryellen's blog.

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Spread the Love

Today's card is for an 11 year old girl named Jaimie.  Jaimie and her mom were attacked in their home while they were sleeping.  Jaimie's mom was killed and Jaimie was left for dead.  The Spread the Love Blog Hop is going on to get people to send cards to Jaimie.  You begin the blog hop here at Katharina's blog.  You will also find more info about the whole situation there.   I hope you will send Jaimie a card even if you don't have time to join in the blog hop.  The address is:

Jaimie Cates
c/o Mont Vernon Fire Station
Main Street
Mont Vernon, NH 03057

You can also visit the main blog, which is Stamp Something for Jaimie. 

Jaimie is very into sports, so I decided to use this surfing Tilda.  Obviously Jaimie doesn't surf in NH, but I like this surfer Tilda, because I'm sending my cards from Florida.

I added real sand and shells to the card for a fun touch. The sun and the surf board are popped up with double stick foam tape.

Blessings

• Mark made it home safely from a business trip that included evacuating his 5th floor hotel room in the middle of the night for a fire alarm.
• Lydia just finished up a good dog sitting job.
• Happy mail :)

Happy a terrific day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Red Friday

Hello my friends.  Here it is Red Friday again.  A day when I like to pause and remember our heroes that are serving our country at home and abroad.  Please take a moment to remember them and their families in prayer today and every day.

This is a card I made to add to my stash I'll be sending to Operation Write Home.  OWH sends handmade cards to our heroes to send home to their families and friends.  My photo doesn't show the stippling on the front of my card or the layers very well.  As I often say, I'm a stamper not a photographer. :)

As the time draws closer I'll be giving you more details about the Veteran's Day Blog Hop on Saturday November 14th.  Hold that date, because there will be lots of great cards to see and blog candy galore to win.  

Blessings

•  My sister's latest body scan was good!!!!
• My other sister is doing well after her knee replacement.
  
• Lots of phone chat with my sister this week. 

 Have a terrific day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Red Friday

Hello friends.  It's already Friday again and here on Inky Hugz that means Red Friday, so that I can show my support for our country's heroes.  Today I want to share a little of what is going on in my community to support our troops.

A great group in our community that supports out troops is the Military Moms Prayer Group. They meet weekly to support and strengthen one another and to pray for our military heroes at home and abroad.  They also send wonderful care packages to our heroes at Christmas and Valentines Day.  Members in this interdenominational group include not only those with sons and daughters in the military, but also those who just want to support our heroes.  Meetings are every Thursday from 5-6 p.m. at the Women's Refuge 1850 Lemon Ave. Vero Beach.  For info call 772-231-2221.  Photo: Military Moms Prayer Group members Roma Anderson (L), Linda Contrelle (R).

This week's card for our heroes is another Valentine.  As many of you know, I really enjoy making humorous cards. :)  I found this cute image on the Coloring Fun site.  There are some terrific images there.  If you want to make cards for our heroes to send to their families and friends, please check out Operation Write Home. They make it so easy to get involved.

Blessings

• Some much needed rain.
• Card making with my daughter.

Have a fabulous day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

What's Red & Black & White All Over?

The very first Tilda card I've shown on my blog! I absolutely love the Tilda images, but don't own any.......yet. Someday. :) I received this darling image from a friend and made this card for my sister. When I colored this image I was still using my Prismacolor pencils for skin tones, but wasn't happy with the uneven look they gave the skin. I've since switched to Prismacolor markers for the skin tones and am far happier with them. I'll show you an image colored with them in a future post. I'm not sure why the picture came out so small. I had it set to be large, but... Anyhow I was too tired to start over by the time I noticed. :)

Early in the summer Mark planted a patch of wild flowers outside our backyard fence. One variety kept growing taller and taller all summer, but never bloomed. The plants now range from 6 - 9 feet tall and this week they started getting regular size flowers on the top of the huge plants. They look so funny. But it looks like they are going to fill out and bloom all over the plants, which will make them far more attractive. I didn't get the bloom on the top of the tall plant Mark is standing by in my photo, but you can see a small orange flower to the left and above his head on a different plant.


Blessings

• Our friend Lloyd used his walker to go out to the grain bins by himself twice so far this week!!!
• Lydia finished her term papers tonight!!
• My sister came through her knee replacement surgery safely.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

A Star is Born

I originally came up with this card design when I was making a card for one of my nephews. I don't have very many stamps that are for boys, so I have to improvise. When I make this card for a girl I add glitter to the stars and Crystal Lacquer to the balloons.
For this boy version I only added Stickles to the candles to make them look like they were glowing.

Supplies:

Stamps: Happy Birthday - JRL Designs (The company that is now CTMH)

Papers: Sizzix Little Sizzles

Inks: Black StazON ink pad, Tombow markers

Accessories: Crystal Stickles, Sizzix Primitive Stars Die

Blessings

• A beautiful day to take the dogs outside to play for awhile. Sunny and breezy with a deep blue sky.
• All the rain we had this summer. Everything looks so healthy and green and has grown so much.
• Birds and butterflies. Both were there for me to enjoy when I was outside today.

Have a marvelous day!

Inky hugs!

Shelly

Born Free

It's wonderful to be back! The jury is still out on whether or not my neck surgery was a success. I'm still in quite a bit of pain. We're giving it time to see if it needs to heal more or if they will need to go back and tweak things a bit. Meanwhile I'm very limited with what I can do with stamping. I've managed to color a total of 8 images since my surgery on August 20th. Just call me speedy. :)



This is a card that I made before my surgery. The beautiful horse image makes me think of the song "Born Free". The background is done using the Crinkled Chalk technique. You can find the instructions here. I used dye inks, which don't give quite as vivid of a background, but they're what I had in the colors I needed. The stitching at the bottom is faux stitching.



Supplies:

Stamps: Three Graces - Coronado Island Stamps
Paper: Handmade paper - Provo Craft
Ink: Archival Ink Sepia; Adirondack Caramel and Butterscotch; gel pen
Accessories: Eyelets

Blessings

• The outpouring of love and caring from my family and friends since my surgery.
• Our friend, Lloyd, was able to go home on Friday!!! It was one week short of 3 months after his accident. Please continue to pray for him as he continues to attend out patient physical, occupational and speech therapies.
• Mark purchased $106 worth of groceries for $2!!! He is amazing with his ability to find good deals.
• Mark's faithfulness in caring for me and showing me such true love through all of the physical problems I've had.

Have a fabulous day!!!
Inky hugs!
Shelly

I'll be back

I'll be away for awhile, but I will be back as soon as I can. I'm having surgery tomorrow. I'm not sure how soon I'll feel up to creating cards and blogging.  I'm not very creative when I'm feeling bad. :)

This was an easy card to make, but I liked how it turned out. It has a much prettier shimmer to it in person. I ran a piece of blue card stock through the Cuttlebug with an embossing folder & trimmed around the embossed piece. Then I used a sponge to highlight the card stock with blue Brilliance ink. Next I add some green Brilliance ink. I added several layers and used my SU Ticket Corner Punch on the last layer. The finishing touch was some Bella Baubles in the four corners.
Maybe this close up view will show the shimmer better if you enlarge it.

It has been simply ages since I have remembered to show you my monthly calendar pages made by my friend, Martha. So this month I'm showing you August and..............

July! The July page has glitter in the stars that doesn't show well in the picture. There is a sheet for each month that fits in a magnetic acrylic frame that is approx. 3 1/2" x 5 1/2". I just love this calendar. It's fun to look forward to the surprise of a new handmade page every month.
Martha is so creative. She comes up with all sorts of wonderful themes.

Blessings

• Simple joys like my monthly calendar I showed today.
• Our friend, Lloyd, is walking on the parallel bars!!!
• Caring family and friends at times like this when I face a medical problem.

Have a marvelous day!!!!
Inky hugs!
Shelly

Tea Anyone?

I wish I owned the stamp of this darling cat offering a cup of morning tea. It is so sweet. I received the image from a friend, so I don't even know who makes the stamp. I colored the image with my faithful old Tombow markers. I highlighted the "steam" from the tea with a clear Stardust pen and I put a few touches of glitter on the flowers.
Blessings

• A long phone visit with my mom :)
• Beautiful butterflies by the elephant ear plants every day when I open the blinds
• Lydia is doing very well with her college courses
  

Have a marvelous day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly

Pretty in Pink

This is another card that I made with a stamp that I won in blog candy from Danni's Dreams. I also won the Bella Baubles in the blog candy. The stamp is Cathrine with Butterfly from the Anki's Sweetheart's Series 1. This is an exclusive line designed for Susana's Custom Art & Card Design.



Isn't Cathrine a pretty image? I used Prismacolor pencils to color the image. The background is made with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.
Blessings
Safety in a bad storm

Happy Mail

God's word to guide my life
Please continue to pray for our friend, Lloyd. He had to be moved from the nursing home back to the hospital. They believe he has pneumonia. They're running tests to be sure.

Have a marvelous day!!!

Inky hugs!
Shelly