Wreath-making at Willow Oak Farm!

Willow Oak Farm is a flower and herb farm located not too far from me.  I grew up in that neighborhood, went to hgh school there and never knew this place existed!  It's located almost directly across from where my husband works.  Do you think he'd ever mention it??  No!  Well, this morning, I went with two friends, Gloria and Theresa, there to make a fall harvest wreath.  I have never made this kind of a wreath before but I figured I'd give it a try!

Willow Oak is a very rustic place and what a great place!  Our "class" was in the greenhouse.  In a little over 2 hours we created some very beautiful wreaths. Each one using the same flowers but each one so totally different!  It was a slightly chilly morning and, upon arrival, we were offered hot chai tea.   Yumm!

Wreathes in progress

 

Our completed wreaths.  Each one is so different!  Here's mine:

 

Here's Theresa's:

 

Here's Gloria's:



 

Here's mine hanging on the wall.  I just couldn't get a good picture of it...it really IS prettier in person!  I think I need to ask Santa Claus for a new (better!) digital camera!!

 

Thanks to Gloria for taking pictures!!

 

I think we'll be going back to Willow Oak to make a Christmas wreath.  I can't wait!!!



DTBST #147- Halloween Spook-tacular

It's time again for  another Dare To Be Sassy Thursday challenge!  This week's challenge is Halloween Spook-tacular!  Sassy Studio Designs has some great Halloween images including 3 brand new images that were released last week.  I'm using Grimm Reaper Sassy.  She, along with all the other fabulously sassy SSD images are available in our store HERE.

Make sure to visit the SSD Blog to see what the rest of the DTBST team has come up with for this week's challenge!!!

Stamps:  Grimm Reaper Sassy (Sassy Studio Designs), sentiment (Hambo Stamps)
Papers:  Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, patterned paper from the Happy Haunting pack (Graphic 45)
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black for sponging
Accessories:  Copic Markers, Modern Label Punch (Stampin' Up), black jet stick-on flourish (Recollections), pop gots, 1-3/4" circle punch (Stampin' Up), paper flowers (Recollections), glue dots, Stickles, sponge

Oldies But Goodies Bloghop!





Hello!  It's time for another Oldies But Goodies Bloghop!!  It's been a while since I hopped with this fabulous group of ladies but I'm ready to get back into the swing of it again!  It's a small group this month, but I know they'll have some beautiful creations to share!

 

For those of you who don't know- I am part of a Facebook Group called Design D.I.V.A.S.  Each month, they have a bloghop and the "theme" of the hop it to use things in our "stash" that is at least 6 months old...and believe me, I have TONS of things that are lots older than that!  Things I've bought and are still in the bags that I brought them home in!!  So, now you know what the OBG Bloghop is all about- let's get you on your way!

You should have arrived here from Maria's blog.  If you did, great, you're on the right track!  If you didn't, please go to Mary Anne's blog to start at the beginning!  You don't want to miss anything!

 

The card that I want to share is a sympathy card.  These past few weeks I've have to make several of these cards.  I don't feel comfortable making sympathy cards- are they appropriate?  That's my biggest concern!  I made this one for a co-worker who just lost her father. 

 

 

Close-up

Inside

 





 

 

The stamp set is Guiding Light by Gina K.  I've had this set for probably well over a year and had never even cut the rubber.  The patterned paper is probably older- it's from the "It's A Guy Thing" pack from Close To My Heart.

 

OK, now head on over to Mary H.'s blog- your last stop on this month's hop.  In case you somehow get lost, here is the small but complete bloghop list:

 

Mary Anne at http://sparkly-train.blogspot.com/
Cindy at http://www.stampwithmecindyg.com/
Maria at http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com/
Mary G at http://www.mystampinhide-away.blogspot.com/
Mary H at http://www.carolinacardsbymaryh.blogspot.com/


Linda P at http://paynehollercards.blogspot.com/

 

Thanks for stopping by!!



Halloween BINGO! SSD October Release & Blog Hop!

It's time for another Sassy Studio Designs new release weekend!!!  This release not only introduces Lindsey's brand new images, but we also introduce our brand new design team!!  After last month's HUGE release, this month we are only releasing 3 images, but they are fabulous!!

You should have arrived here from Tina's blog.   If you didn't, head back over to the SSD blog to start the hop at the beginning!!

For this release, our challenge was to use this Halloween Bingo Card:

 

 

Halloween is so fun!!!  I chose to go across the middle- spider-skull/bones-green-cauldron- and here is what I came up with:

 

 

 

I decided to make an 8 x 8" framed Halloween wall hanging.  Here is a close-up of the beautiful witch.  There are 2 glitter spiders in the upper corners.  The skull is in the flowers in the lower right corner.  The cauldron is from Sherrod Studios, a company which unfortunately is no longer in business.  There isn't a lot of green but it's there on her hat and the bubbling brew in the cauldron.  I also added a little "bling"- a stick-on rhinestone flourish for the vapor from her broom as she flies through the Halloween night sky- for my FREE space.  Here is a close-up:

 

 

 

Your next stop on our hop is Kim's blog.  If you get lost along the way, here is the entire blog hop list.  Make sure to leave comments on each blog.  There will be randomly selected comments selected for prizes and we also have a challenge for you to play along!!  I can't wait to see what YOU create!



Kathy http://willstampforwine.blogspot.com/
Jacki R http://www.papermoments.blogspot.com/
Debbie www.craftingwhenican.blogspot.com
Jodi www.elamdesign33.blogspot.com
Kate http://www.scrapperscreativecorner.blogspot.com/
Tina http://craftyandgreen.blogspot.com
Mary www.mystampinhide-away.blogspot.com
Kim http://itsallaboutcrafting.blogspot.com/
Christine http://happyscrapper-sweetpeacards.blogspot.com/
Robin http://robins-reflections.blogspot.com/
Ruza http://ruzascraftcorner.blogspot.com
Star http://YouCouldBeWishingOnAStar.blogspot.com
SSD http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.com/

 

Check the SSD Blog again tomorrow for Part 2 of our New Release blog hop!!!

 

Stamps:  Sassy Witch image

Papers:  Neenah 80# white, "Fright Night" patterned paper from the Happy Haunting pack (Graphic 45)

Accessories:  8 x 8" black frame, Copic Markers, stick-on rhinestone flourishes (ZVA Creative), stick-on spiders (Jolee), prima flowers, glue dots, pop dots, stick-on glitter skull


DTBST #146- Sketch!

This week's Dare to Be Sassy challenge is a sketch- and it's a really fun sketch!!!

Here is my take on that sketch:

 

I did omit the strip across the middle of the sketch.  I just couldn't get it to look right.  Here is a close up of the beautiful Wicked Honey image:

 

 

Make sure to stop  by the SSD Blog to check out what the rest of the DTBST team has to offer using this sketch!!!

Stamps:  Wicked Honey, sentiment is unknown

Papers:  Pumpkin Pie, Green Galore (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, patterned paper (Happy Haunting- Graphic 45)

Accessories:  Copic Markers, shimmer pen, pop dots, 1-3/4" hole punch (Stampin' Up), black jet stick-on flourishes (Recollections)



DTBST #145- Think Pink for Breast Cancer!

With the start of a new term for Sassy Studio Designs, I'm back on the Dare to Be Sassy Thursday team!!  I want to welcome the newest DT members and let them know that I am very excited about getting to work with them!  They are VERY talented and you can be prepared to have your socks knocked off!!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  This week's DTBST challenge is "Think Pink" for Breast Cancer.  SSD recently released two new Pink Ribbon images. I decided to use Pink Ribbon Sassy which is available HERE.  This is my card for this challenge.  It's a simple card, but I hope you like it:

Now head on over to the Sassy Studios Designs' Blog to see what the rest of the DTBST team has for your enjoyment!!

I will be submitting this card to the Link Up For Pink blog hop.  Check it out HERE.

Stamps:  Pink Ribbon Sassy, Think Pink Sentiments (retired)
Papers:  Basic Black (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, patterned papers (unknown)
Accessories:  Copic Markers, black jet stick-on flourishes (Recollections), pop dots

Another Sympathy Card

I am not very good with making sympathy cards, but I had to make another one for a friend whose mother just passed away.  I always stress over making them- I'm never sure if it's appropriate.  I hope this one is okay:

 

 

I wasn't able to get a very good picture of it.  The patterned paper has glitter on the flower centers and I added Stickles to the center of the flowers on the images to match.

 

Here is the verse I put on the inside of the card:

Stamp:  Coneflowers digital image, Sympathy digital image (I'm not sure who these images are from)
Papers:  Old Olive, Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, patterned paper (K & C Company)
Accessories:  Copic Markers, Stickles, sponge

Something Wicked This Way Comes- "I Put A Spell On You!"

Sassy Studio Designs is sponsoring The Corrosive Challenge for October.  Today's challenge is "Something Wicked This Way Comes".  We were to make a Halloween project with a villain or monster.  I decided to use The Evil Queen image.  She is very fun to color.  Here is the card that I'm submitting for this challenge.   I hope you like it!

 

 

Close up:

Please visit the Sassy Studio Designs blog to see what "wicked" projects the rest of the DT has created for this challenge!

Stamp:  Evil Queen Honey (Sassy Studio Designs), sentiment (Bombshell Stamps)
Papers:  Green Galore, Concord Crush (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, "Happy Haunting" patterned paper (Graphic 45)
Accessories:  Copic Markers, gold Spica pen, stick-on rhinestones (Stampin' Up), stick-on rhinestone flourish (ZVA Creations), pop dots, scalloped border punch (Stampin' Up), glitter Adornments (My Favorite Things), Jewel-It glue

Singing With The Angels

On Monday I lost a very dear friend to lung cancer.  She fought a long, hard battle but in the end she lost that fight. 

Jan loved to sing.  Music was her life.  I know that she is singing with the angels now, and making wonderful music.  I remember seeing a beautiful card by Lori Ulrich and as I was making a sympathy card for Jan's family, I remembered the sentiment she had on her card- Psalm 108:1- and thought it would be perfect for the card.

I hope Lori doesn't mind that I CASEd her card, and I hope Jan's family will like it as well.

Jan, you will be greatly missed.  We are all blessed to have had you in our lives.

Sassy Studio Designs New Release Hop!!

Welcome to the first of two Sassy Studio Designs blog hops featuring 12 brand new images!!!  You should have arrived here from Rebecca's blog.  If you did, great!  You're on the right track!  If you didn't, go to the SSD Blog to start the hop from the beginning.  Believe me, you won't want to miss this one!

I have two cards to show you.  The first is using the Pink Ribbon Frame image...perfect for Breast Cancer Awareness in October!!!

 

 I've entered this card into the Link Up For Pink Challenge #6 (My card is #14).

 

The next card I have for you is using the Light vs. Dark image.  Lindsey draws the most beautiful faces!!!

I am the last stop on the hop.  Please head on back to the SSD Blog and leave a comment letting us know how much you love these new images!!! There will be randomly selected comments chosen from a different blog each day and winners will get 2 images of their choice from the release.
There will also be a special at the SSD Store...buy 5 images and get a 6th one free!  Remember to come hop with us again tomorrow to see the remaining images in this release!!! Lindsey has outdone herself this time!!

Just in case you get lost along the way, here is the entire blog hop list.

 

SSD http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.com
Sara http://luminousinmychaoticdreamslife.blogspot.com
Rachelle http://imblackmartha.blogspot.com
Kathy http://willstampforwine.blogspot.com
Karen http://busybusyhoneybee.wordpress.com
Regan http://charmedstamping.blogspot.com
Christine http://happyscrapper-sweetpeacards.blogspot.com
Jackie http://stampingsister.blogspot.com
Julie http://juliescraftyspot.blogspot.com
Kim http://itsallaboutcrafting.blogspot.com
Rebecca http://sydneyssentiments.blogspot.com
Mary www.mystampinhide-away.blogspot.com
SSD http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.com

Everything's Comin' Up Tulips!

***This is my 2nd post today.  If you are looking for the Hambo Blog Hop, click HERE***

Sassy Studio Designs is sponsoring the challenge over at ATC's with Attitude , where the challenge is "Nature/Anything Goes".  For the longest time I was stumped as to how to use Sassy Studio Designs images for a "nature" card...after some long deliberation, I decided to use the Netherlands Honey image.  Here's what I came up with:

I found a pretty windmill and tulip photo on a Dutch tulip tour website and thought that would be pretty with this image.  It was a very simple card, but I just love how it turned out!  I hope you like it, too!!!

Stamps:  Netherlands Honey (Sassy Studio Designs)
Papers:  Real Red, Basic Black (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white
Accessories:  Copic Markers, pop dots, photo paper for printing background photo

"Broadway Bound" with Hambo Stamps!

Welcome to "Broadway Bound!", a blog hop sponsored by Hambo Stamps!  Today Hambo customers and the Bacon Bits Design Team are bringing you fun creations that depict Broadway show titles! It might be our favorite, or just one that was fun to design. If you arrived here from Talk to the Ham you are in the right place! If not, you might want to start back at the beginning at the Hambo blog to make sure you are eligible for the hopper prize!

A prize will be awarded to one participant whose Broadway-themed creation tickles the Bacon Bits’ fancy in a hammin’ jammin’ way! Another prize will be awarded randomly to a hopper who comments on all of the blogs along the way. The winners will be announced on the Hambo company blog, Talk to the Ham, on Tuesday, September 25. We love comments anytime, but the deadline for prize entry comments is Sunday, September 23rd at 5pm CST.  Don't miss it!

Now, on to my Broadway creation!  The Broadway show that I chose is one that I haven't seen but one that I want to see SO badly...Wicked!!  It'll be here in Baltimore in late fall and I need to get hubby to give me a good time that he'll be able to go with me since he has to work a lot of overtime...I've heard it's such a fabulous show and I can't wait to see it!!  Here is my card using Hambo's Wee Henrietta Witch.  She's so cute and such fun to color!!

 

Now dance on over to Lyn's blog for another great Broadway show!  Just in case you get lost along the way, here is the entire blog hop list:

Talk to the Ham - Hambo blog http://hambostamps.blogspot.com/
Mary www.mystampinhide-away.blogspot.com---- YOU ARE HERE!
Lyn http://mypurplehouse.wordpress.com/
Carolina http://cardolinascrapolina.blogspot.com/

Kaylee www.104cards.blogspot.com/
Deborah http://beadnstampn.blogspot.com
Sarah http://sarahvaitstamps.blogspot.com/
Dawn http://dawnmercedes.blogspot.com/
Sherry www.bitsofcheer.blogspot.com
Jan http://www.jans-gonestampin.blogspot.com/
Libby http://stampinlibby.blogspot.com/
Jen http://jetstudio.blogspot.com/
Jane http://janeelizabethssworld.blogspot.co.uk/
Kecia http://stampingdeets.blogspot.com/
Melissa http://melissascreations.blogspot.com/
Kris http://purplenightowl.blogspot.com/
Deanne http://littlebitopaper.blogspot.ca/
Paula http://heyheypaula-heyheypaula.blogspot.com/
Loll http://www.stampingwithloll.com/
Judy http://jarfullofjoy.blogspot.com/

 

 

Stamps:  Wee Henrietta Witch (Hambo Stamps- digi), sentiment is computer-generated

Papers:  Basic Black (Stampin' Up), reptile textured paper (unknown),  Happy Haunting (Graphic 45), Neenah #80 white

Accessories:  Copic Markers, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities Circle and Scalloped Circle), black jet stick-on flourishes (Recollections), glitter spider (Jolee), pop dots, large oval punch (Stampin' Up)

Just my cup of tea!

When I went to "tea" with a group of friends, our napkins were tied up with a piece of beautiful pink organdy ribbon.  We decided that we would all make a card using this ribbon.  The pink, as pretty as it is, was hard to match to paper, but today I finally found some paper that "sorta kinda" matches...

Although I'm not totally thrilled with how my card came out, I DO love this sweet image by Mo Manning!

Image: Teacup Fairy (Mo Manning), sentiment is computer-generated
Papers:  Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, patterned paper (Basic Grey)
Ink:  Close to Cocoa (for sponging)
Accessories:  Copic Markers, gold Spica pen, shimmer pen, Modern Label punch (Stampin' Up), 1-1/2" pink organdy ribbon (unknown), glue dots

Seeing Spots & Stripes!

Today, Sassy Studio Designs is sponsoring TWO challenges- The Crazy Challenge , where the challenge is "Spots and Stripes" and Seems A Little Sketchy , where their challenge is to use this sketch:

 

 

Here is the card that I made for both of these challenges:

I turned the sketch on it's side and used Graphic 45's "A Ladies' Diary" paper.  I thought this paper would go well with the Renaissance Sassy image.  I hope you like it!

Stamp:  Renaissance Sassy by Sassy Studio Designs
Paper:  Basic Black (Stampin' Up), A Ladies' Diary (Graphic 45), Neenah 80# white
Accessories:  Copic Markers, resin roses (Recollections), black jet stick-on flourish (Recollections), pop dots

Afternoon Tea

This past Saturday I went to "tea" with some fabulous ladies.  My friend, Gloria, treated us to afternoon tea at Moulin de Paris.  I had never been to a formal tea before and was very excited to go.  We had a fabulous time...so many different flavors and types of tea, delicious sandwiches, mini desserts and other finger foods.  What a great way to spend an afternoon!!  To thank Gloria, I made her this card using Graphic 45's A Ladies Diary paper.  I hope she likes it!

 

Here, I added some old hat pins that I found in my stash.

I entered this card into The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge to create a card using no stamps.

Papers:  Basic Black (Stampin' Up), A Ladies Diary (Graphics 45)
Accessories:  pop dots, stick on pearls (Zva Creations), old hat pins from my stash

Peace, Love, and Happiness...

Today Sassy Studio Designs is sponsoring Tuesday Alchemy  and the challenge is "Peace, Love and Happiness".  Here is the card that I created for this challenge using SSD's Hippie Chick image.  She's so fun!!

 
Stamps:  Hippie Chick (Sassy Studio Designs), sentiment is computer-generated
Papers:  Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss (Stampin' Up), Neenah 80# white, patterned paper
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Copic Markers,gold spica pen, paper flowers (Recollections), glue dots, pop dots

Happy Mail!

When I opened my mail box today I had one lone item in there...no bills, no junk mail...just happy mail!!!

My friend, Amanda, recently purchased a brand new sewing machine that embroiders...and she is embroidering everything!!  Look what she sent me!

I LOVE it!!!  We're BIG Ravens fans and the season starts for us Monday night. What a fun thing to have hanging on my stove door for the season!!!

Thank you, Amanda!!

Sunflowers!

This is not stamping or craft related but I had to post this!  For the past couple of summers I've been wanting to see the sunflower fields in Harford County, Maryland. Due to poor weather or wrong timing, they remained elusive.  Until today!   Today we FINALLY found them!  The morning started off dark, dreary, and rainy.  The rain stopped, but the weather wasn't looking promising for a motorcycle ride, so we decided to drive up to see if we could find them...as it turned out the sun came out and it was a beautiful day!  The sunflowers were looking up toward the bright sun in all their glory.  This one field that we found is located at the intersection of Jarrettsville Pike and Hess Road.  Thanks to my friend, Cindy, for letting us know they were in full bloom!!

Here are some pictures we took of these beautiful flowers:

They weren't as tall as I thought they'd be but I guess they are just a different kind of sunflower.  Either way, they were beautiful and I enjoyed walking through and looking at them...I think this will need to be an annual trip for us!