Best of friends

First I want to apologize for missing the remaining Inventory Challenge cards.  There was a MAJOR family crisis that has incompassed several months of my life.  Hopefully the storm has passed so to speak and I can get on with the business of life.  I made a few of the cards for the challenge but have yet to post them. Enough of that! 
Today I wanted to focus on friendship.  You really find out who your true friends are when life gets in the way and those are the friendships to value.  Thank you Carol, Carole and Cynthia for being there for me all of this time.  Your friendships warm my heart.
The card I made to share with you shows two sweet little Tilda's holding hands.  How beautiful is that?  Hold on to those friends.  Nurture your relationships.  I know I will.
Oh yeah!  I colored my images with Copic markers and bought my stamp at Magolia-liscious.  I love that place.  I also had purchased a new Nestability set from Spellbinders.  Isn't the shape pretty?  Added some little embellishments by way of lace and flowers to add just the right touches to my card. Enjoy!  Love, Elle

 

Inventory Challenge #90 will be a day late!

I had unexpected grans visiting yesterday and today (4 of them) so I will be a day late posting this weeks Inventory Challenge card.  Stay tuned for Saturday's post!  Love, Elle

INVENTORY CHALLENGE #89-Altered Object

Today I have choosen to alter a brown paper lunchbag, making it into a pretty little giftbag.  I have been dying (excuse the pun!) to use this die ever since I bought it from Papertrey, Inc.!  I can just see a favorite piece of jewelry, some candy, and a giftcard for spa treatment inside, can't you? 
The papers that I used are from a pad called Carolina Breeze by Theresa Collins.  I love how they coordinate so well together.  I first stamped my pathway and carefully lined Tilda up just at the edge of the walkway.   These images are new to me and I LOVE THEM!!!!  Can you just here my excitement? lol.  I broke my foot and have been running around with a HUGE boot on up to my knee this summer.  Talk about being hot and awkward so taking the time to create a new project for the inventory challenges has done a great job keeping my mind off of my pain and discomfort.  The flowere die is from an old Sizzix die, one of the chuncky ones, with a button center from another die that I found in my stash.  I colored her with my Copic markers matching the colors up to the paper that I was using for my bag.  I hope you enjoy today's project.  Check out Kathy's blog to see what she came up with this week!  (http://kathysknook.blogspot.com )  Love, Elle

INVENTORY CHALLENGE #88-Tag card; or a card with a tag

Good morning!  Welcome to the Inventory Challenge.  Today we had to make a tag card or a card with a tag.  I choose to use the yummy new Tilda stamp from the newest collection, I believe it is called "Ships Ahoy Tilda".   First I set in the clouds using my new cloud kit I bought from a shop here in St. Louis, Missouri called The InkSpot.  The dp and accessories are from the Oceanside collection by Creative Imaginations.  The shells are something I found at my local Archiever's store and the tag was cut out using a die from Papertrey, Inc.  I bought the trim at a local fabric store and the twine was purchesed at another local store called The Checkered Cottage in Kirkwood, Missouri.  Boy do I love to shop! lol.   What I like most about this card is that it brings you to the beach.  I can just feel the sand in my toes and the hear the waves gently lapping against the shore.  I like the saying "Live in the Moment" because it is something I feel all of us should be doing more of.  Slow down.  Savor this moment-you will never get it back! 
Check out Kathy's blog while you are surfing the web to see her entry!  Love, Elle www.kathysknook.blogspot.ca

Here is a picture of the tag.  I love how it turned out!  The simpilicty is what I like the most. 

Inventory Challenge #88-4th of July

I went another direction for my 4th of July card this time.  I wanted it to reflect more on what I will be doing this holiday.  One of my oldest and dearest friends has a special birthday that we will be celebrating with a suprise party.  Her favorite thing in the whole wide world is flowers.  Gardening of any kind really.  She is such a joyful person!  I celebrated using red, white, and blue papers and coloring with lots of flowers in her hair and special flowers on the card.  I had to pull out some of my favorite MFT dies to make my flowers and accents with.  I love how kraft paper looks with these colors, don't you? 

I'm off to finish a wedding card that has to go to Chicago with my sister tomarrow morning.  I will post pictures later in the week.  Join Kathy at http://kathysknook.blogspot.ca for her July 4th card.  It's a beaut!  Love, Elle

INVENTORY CHALLENGE #87

Welcome to another Inventory Challenge.  Today the theme is Celebrate Summer-butterflies, flowers and a touch of yellow.  I had alot of fun with this card.  Everytime I see a butterfly I say "hi" to my dad up in heaven.  Silly, isn't it?  To me it is God's way of sending me an Angel when I need one the most.  Heck, right now I could use a field full of butterflies! lol
My image was choosen because I use to spend all of my Summer days riding my bicycle.  Everywhere.  From dawn to dusk.  My friends and I would strap on our water bottles and our sack lunches and go on the greatest adventures!  I kept my card simple and let the paper speak for itself.  I die cut my flower, leaves, and butterfly, adding pearls and buttons for accents.  "Have a Sunny day" was the perfect stamp for my sentiment.  The soft, serene colors reminded me of a Summer breeze.  Simple and sweet.  I hope your Sunny days bring you lots of adventures, too.  Love, Elle.  (please join my friend Kathy for her entry in this week's Inventory Challenge at http://kathysknook.blogspot.ca

INVENTORY CHALLENGE #86-Fathers Day

Good morning/afternoon/evening!  Today is what was suppose to be Inventory Challenge #86.  Remember, I'm continuing with the challenges without the rest of my team.  Today is a Fathers Day card.  Now, that presented me with a dilemma.  My dad passed away last year.  I miss him terribly.  I didn't even think I could make a card except for my husband.  But I wanted to honor my dad in some way.  When I saw Ducky in the just before last group of Magnolia-liscious stamps I just KNEW I was on to something. 
I have a story to tell.
When we were really little my mom worked nights and my father took care of us after he got home from work and on the weekends.  It must of been a really special occasion because Pam (5), Me (4), and Cynthia (2) were all dressed up in our Sunday best dresses, lacy socks, and Mary Janes.  He took us out to a fancy restaurant that evening.  WHAT HE DIDN'T KNOW is that when we were walking in Pam, myself, and my little sister (one after another) would waddle like ducks, flapping our arms every time dad looked away while the hostess was escorting us across the restaurant to our table.  All of the patrons at the other tables were chuckling as we passed by.  Pam must have had a quick eye because every time dad would turn around to see what was going on we would stop.  Perfect little angels that we were.  Pam was quite the instigator, wasn't she?  Hence the duck. 
Without further hesitation I would like to share with you my HAPPY FATHERS DAY MEMORIES card.  (I apologize for this being a day late.  For some reason I could not get on the internet to post it.  It crashed right when I was ready to add the picture) Love, Elle

INVENTORY CHALLENGE #85

Today's challenge is to do an Easel card-something that I have never attempted.  While I was on the subject I thought I would try something else that is new to me-coloring with Distress Inks.  Don't laugh!  It is my first try lol.  I have a gorgeous paper pack called AVALON from Bazzill Basics Paper that I used for my card along with Sunflower Tilda.  I wanted to make this card for my sister Cynthia.  She has been here for me like no other during these trying times.  (Except Charlie, of course).  In case my photography does not pick it up the saying says "Thank you for being there when I need you".  I just love this paper.  I needed something bright and cheery, don't you think? 
I added a die cut swirrly leaf and some flowers along with a bright red polk-a-dot bow and my card was complete. 
I want to take a minute to thank everyone out there who has offered up prayers for me and my family.  It means more than you will ever know.  Love, Elle

Prayers Needed

I wouldn't normally ask this of my readers but I am in desperate need of some prayers.  I won't go into detail because it is so personal but my family is in shreads.  It is only love that is holding things together (and God, of course).  The stress level and pain that everyone is dealing with has and is taking it's toll in so many different ways.  I am hanging on by a thin thread.  If a tiny prayer could be said I would so appreciate it.  My family needs it.  I NEED IT.  I will return the favor if ever needed.  Thanks so much for listening.  Love, Elle

Sad News

I have some sad news to relay to you tonight.  They have decided to discontinue the Inventory Challenges.  BUT, I have decided to play along by myself for as long as I have the themes that they sent me.  I believe it is thru August.  Would that be okay with you?  I have been having so much fun being on the Design Team that I don't want to quit.  SO, I will continue each week to post my cards for as long as I can.  Love, Elle

INVENTORY CHALLENGE #84-Creating a scene with the masking technique

Creating a scene with the masking technique?  Being a relative beginner this is something that I have never attempted to do.  Yikes!  What have I gotten myself into?  Now, mind you, after doing my card I realized how silly I can be worrying so much about the cards that I make.  Perfectionism is the word that comes to mind.   Let's see.  What do I have on hand?  When I was re-organizing and cleaning my studio I found my cloud making kit that I never got the chance to use before I lost it in the first place. 
I also had bought the magnolia tree branch, the fence, and Tilda with daisy.  I already had a die for the grass that I bought from MFT (My Favorite Things) that I thought would work perfectly.  Let's not forget the colored twine that I used for the bow and the mini pearls for the flowers on the tree branch. 
I love the way this turned out.  The next time I will be making the clouds more prodominent but otherwise I am happy with the card that I made.  Are you?  Sylvia isn't playing with us this week but will be back with the DT next week.  All of the other links are listed below the picture.  Please take a minute to visit each of the blogs; I'm sure you won't regret it!  Love, Elle

Here are the links to the other DT members blogs:
http://inkthreadpaper-cathylynn.blogspot.com
http://christinascardconnection.blogspot.com
http://au-deladesimages.blogspot.com
http://lestresorsdenadine.blogspot.com
http://cardsbyrbowen.blogspot.com
http://kathysknook.blogspot.ca

christinascardconnection.blogspot.com

INVENTORY CHALLENGE #83

I am posting my Inventory Challenge card a day early because I have yet to figure out how to schedule a post for a later date.  Any helpers out there?
Charlie is coming home and we are packing up the car to go see my MOM for the weekend!  After posting my Mother's Day card last week I felt a strong pull towards her and so did my husband.  He hasen't seen Mom since Dad's funeral a year ago and I only saw her for about an hour when we met my sister and her 1/2 way between Kansas and St. Louis, Missouri for lunch. 
This week's card involved making one with just a phrase on the front and a sentiment.  WHAT?  No Maggies?  What will I ever do? lol
What I did was to take a dry embossing folder and emboss the upper left hand corner.  It needed some 'pretties' so I added some white pearls to the flower centers.  I felt it needed a little something more so I included a blue swiss dotted bow.  I hope you enjoy my card!  On to load up the car.  Happy Memorial Day to those who celebrate this holiday.  Just remember what it really stands for.  I have included a list on my partners in crimes blog addresses so you can take a look see!  Enjoy!  Love, Elle
http://inkthreadpaper-cathylynn.blogspot.com
http://christinascardconnection.blogspot.com
http://au-deladesimages.blogspot.com
http://lestresorsdenadine.blogspot.com
http://cardsbyrbowen.blogspot.com
http://syliva-syllie.blogspot.com
http://kathysknook.blogspot.ca

INVENTORY CHALLENGE #81-Mother's Day

Welcome back!  Today is the day to post my new card for the Inventory Challenge.  Mother's Day.  What does that mean to you?  You see, I haven't always had the best of relationships with my Mom.  Alot of years were wasted by hurt or hard feelings between the two of us.  We are so much alike that we often didn't get along.  BUT!  I love her.  She is the only mom I will ever have.  When we were loosing my father last year all of that hurt seemed to wash away.  So many years that we will never get back.  Does that change the past?  Certainly not.  We choose to read the book of pain in our lives and I choose to close that book and have my mom back.  What a relief! 
Mom and I are closer than we have been in years.  Hug your mom.  Call her.  Tell her that you love her.  Celebrate all of the woman in your lives.  We are the best of the best!  To be a mother is to touch the hand of your God.
Whew!  I have a tear running down my cheek lol.  On to today's card.  I choose the Tilda with Baby stamp from an older collection because I thought it symbolizes a new beginning.  My Mom and I are a new beginning.  The papers are from my stash.  I used cheesecloth to soften my project as well as a pretty chiffon pink bow.  Aren't those brads gorgeous?  I think so! 
Here are the Copic colors that I used:

Face:  E000, E00, E02, R20 as well as a white gel pen for the cheeks
Shirt:  G20, G21, G24
Pants:  R81, R83, R85, R89
Shoes/Diaper:  C1

When your done here I invite you to take a peak at what my teammates came up with for Mother's day this week.  Here are the links to their blogs:

http://inkthreadpaper-cathylynn.blogspot.com
http://christinascardconnection.blogspot.com
http://au-deladesimages.blogspot.com
http://lestresorsdenadine.blogspot.com
http://cardsbyrbowen.blogspot.com
http://sylvia-syllie.blogspot.com
http://kathysknook.blogspot.ca

I hope that you enjoy my card!  Love, Elle

INVENTORY CHALLENGE #80

Welcome to Inventory Challenge #80.  I can't believe it is my 3rd week of being on the design team!  What fun I am having.  This weeks challenge was to use Tilda or another image that resembles you and why.  I had several choices of stamps I wanted to use, the obvious being Stamping Tilda, but after looking at my Magnolia-liscious stamps I found the perfect one.  Tilda holding a Summer Umbrella.  There is a story behind my choice.  A family tradition that spans several generations.
My mom told me a story on how her mom use to wash ther hair in the rain.  My mom also washed my hair outside when it was pouring down rain.  That soft spring rain.  You know the kind.  Not wanted in break the tradition I would take my kids outside and wash their hair.  My daughter carried on the tradition and washed Jacobs hair in the rain too.  I love family traditions and this one was SO much fun!
After that we would take out our umbrellas and sing in the rain just like in the movies.  The sun would come out and dry our hair.  We loved playing in the rain and the sun. 
I had bought some pretty material and made a flower,  I think it turned out so beautiful with the pretty white button in the center.  I used a new border punch in the center, diecut the butterflies and the center shape that my image sits on, colored Tilda with my Copic markers, added some pearls and I was done.  I hope you enjoy my choice of cards!  Love, Elle

If you have a minute please take some time to view my wonderful teammates.  Here are the links to their blogs:
http://inkthreadpaper-catylynn.blogspot.com
http://christinascardconnection.blogspot.com
http://au-deladesimages.blogspot.com
http://lestresorsdenadine.blogspot.com
http://cardsbyrbowen.blogspot.com
http://sylvia-syllie.blogspot.com
http://kathysknook.blogspot.ca

INVENTORY #79-I'll Sew You Something

Whew what a morning!  I went to upload my dt entry early this morning and the camera didn't work.  Then I had trouble figuring out how to post on the new blogger.  Urgh!  I'm sorry I am late!
On to my card.  The theme for this week was I'll sew you something (sewing on your card).  I love to add stitching on my cards.  It adds such a country feel to them.  After spending an afternoon trying to fix my sewing machine I was able to accomplish my task.  (See why I'm late!)  Tilda holding Heart is one of my absolute favorite stamps of all of the collections.  It shows such love.  After coloring her with my Copic Markers which I match colors to the papers that I choose to use, I cut out Nestability shapes and popped up the top one, assembling the rest of the card.  It needed something so I got out my flower die from My Favorite Things then added some blue stickles instead of brads or pearls.  I'm into glittery things right now.  I hope you enjoy my dt entry this challenge.  I had fun making it after I solved all of my troubles.  Love, Elle
After viewing my card you must see the fabulous entries of my fellow team mates.  Here are the links:
Okay, I thought I added them right but apparently I didn't.  Let's try this:
http://inkthreadpaper-cathylynn.blogspot.com
http://christinascardconnection.blogspot.com
http://au-deladesimages,blogtspot.com
http://lestresorsdenadine.blogspot.com
http://cardsbyrbowen.blogspot.com
http://sylvia-syllie.blogspot.com
http://kathysknook.blogspot.ca

INVENTORY CHALLENGE #78-Are You Seeing Spots?

Welcome to my second Inventory Challenge entry!  This weeks theme is "Are you seeing spots?".  Man did I ever have fun with it.  Meet Doty.  Doty loves spots!  (as you can attest to by her shirt).  My background paper is full of them as is the banner.  I am still learning alot about stamping and card making in general and wanted to try my hand at masking.  Did I do a good enough job?  Tilda is an outdoor kind of girl who loves working in her garden.  She was tired from all of her planting and took a break and sat on  her watering can.  She got her butt wet but don't tell anyone-she would be SO embarassed.  I added a rose and leaves using my newest diecuts from My Favorite Things. 
Here is Doty.  Be sure and take a peak at my teammates wonderful creations when you are done here!  The links are listed below my card.  Love, Elle

Here are the links that I spoke of:
http://inkthreadpaper-cathylynn.blogspot.com
http://christinascardconnection.blogspot.com
http://au-deladesimages.blogspot.com
http://lestresorsdenadine.blogspot.com
http://cardsbyrbowen.blogspot.com
http://sylvia-syllie.blogspot.com
http://kathysknook.blogspot.ca

INVENTORY CHALLENGE #77

Welcome to the  Inventory Challenge this week.  Can you believe we are on #77?!  This is my first week joining my lovely teammates with this weeks challenge that asks us to use a very old or forgotten stamp. 
I just reorganized my studio.  You wouldn't believe all of the forgotten stamps that I found!  Best of all I found the very first Maggie that I bought.  Tilda with Ice Cream.  I love this 'sweet' little image.  After coloring her with my Copic markers, I diecut my image using one of my favorite Nestability shapes.  On to the details.  I really wanted to do a good job creating a scene that reminded me of Summer days running after the Ice Cream truck.  I also wanted to use as many found and forgotten elements that I could find.  I dug thru my stash and found that I had some LONG forgotten Flower Soft.  I honestly did forget that I had any at all!  I also found this little flower punch in the bottom of a drawer filled with about 30 other punches.  The 'ENJOY' sign is another one of my finds, dug out of the bottom of a bin full of little tidbits.  Of course how can you not have Summer without a white picket fence?. 
My favorite part of the whole card is the flower in the upper left-hand corner.  I wanted to go natural so I used Kraft paper.  What is a card without buttons?  All of these details together make up what I hope is a sweet Summer scene. 
Today is a special day for me. This is something I have wanted to do for the longest time.  With the encouragement of Charlie (dh) and my wonderful teammates I took the plunge.  I'm SO glad that I did!
Please take a minute to see what my teammates have come up with!
inkthreadpaper-cathylynn.blogspot.com
christinascardconnection.blogspot.com
au-deladesimages.blogspot.com
lestresordenadine.blogspot.com
cardsbyrbowen.blogspot.com
sylvia-syllie.blogspot.com
kathysknook.blogspot.com
I hope that you enjoy my card!  My camera choose today to act up so the colors may not be as vibrant as they are in person.  Feel free to use your imagination!

Angels

For those of you who read my blog you know that my father passed away this time last year.  Monday is his birthday and next Saturday is the anniversary of his funeral.  My mom has had many challenges this past year but has held her head high with grace and dignity.  This is the card I have sent to her.  For some reason I didn't get a picture of the FULL card but you can see all of the details in this one.  The beautiful flower was received in a swap with the group Art For The Creative Mind.  A wonderful online Mixed Media art group.  I used some of my Vintage lace trim for accent.  This is the first time I tried stampingthen coloring on patterned paper.  I think it was perfect for the feel of the card and the Angel image that I used.  I hope you enjoy! Love, Elle (There are Angels amongst us.)

Just Hangin With My Peeps!

Hi!  It is Easter time again.  Remember when you were a child and time took so long?  Whew!  Is it flying by now that I'm older!  (how old I will never tell lol).  Seems like yesterday we were celebrating Christmas. 
Today I wanted to share with you an Easter card I made for my family.  Tilda sure does look adorable peeping out of her egg, doesn't she?  I love this image.  I colored her with Copic Markers, cut her out, and based her on paper I cut out using my Circle Nestabilities.  After adding trim around her and a feather to boot I was ready to go.  On to a few embellishments.  The paper scrap I had in my bin had the cutest sayings and I had purched the carrot from The InkSpot, a store in Kirkwood, Missouri USA.  I punched out my edge with a pretty border punch and voila'.  I hope you enjoy my Easter card!  Love, Elle

Last in the series

Hi!  How is everyone on this fine (warm) day.  It is going to reach 82 degrees F here in St. Louis, Missouri USA today.  Love it!  I wanted to share with you the last of the recent birthday cards I made .  I think I will reserve this for my dil Jackie on the 26.  Gosh, how I love her.  I got lucky in the dil area of my life.  Between Jackie, Amber, Jill and now what will be Felicia (as of May, 2013) I couldn't ask for better.
Since I cleaned and organized my studio and went thru all of my paper I have been trying to use whatever I had.  I found this beautiful paper that made me want to smile.  Isn't it pretty?  It combined two of my favorite colors, lime green and purple.  I decided to color Tilda (isn's she adorable?) with the same colors.  I wanted to showcase her so I just added a few bottons and my Happy Birthday circle.  Simple yet sweet.  I will be showcasing more cards using up papers that I found in the near future.  I have three more made that I need to take pictures of.  I can't wait to share them with you!  I certainly am glad that I am out of my creative slump.  It wasn't fun not being able to create new things.  It isn't in my nature.  I have been playing with things every since I was a small child.  I won't even tell you how many years that has been!  lol.  I hope you enjoy my card today.  Love, Elle

Another birthday card

Awhile back I won "Comfy Tilda" from the All About You blog giveaway.  What fun!  I took this chance to ink her up.  I have been really busy redoing my studio.  Cleaning.  Purging.  Organizing. Designing.  (whew!) and I came across these papers that I had totally forgotten about.  How I love them!  I used several different patterns together with matching ribbon.  I thought the oval scallop die would go perfect with the oval die from Spellbinder's Nestability collections to showcase Tilda.  After I chose my papers I matched it up with my Copic colors for the perfect coloring combination.  That is how I do it every time I am making a card.  I used stickles for the wings to add much needed sparkle to my card.  I have been playing with a 2012 Honda CRV this weekend that the car dealership let me take home to test drive.  I am having so much fun toolin' around the neighborhood.  What fun it would be to sneak in a roadtrip! lol.  I never heard of a car dealership letting you take a vehicle home for a couple of days to test drive, have you?  I am seriously thinking about buying that SUV, it is so nice.  All sorts of bells and whistles.  I'm off to make another card but I wanted to share my second birthday card with you today.  Enjoy!  Love, Elle

Copic Hair Colors

Several people have asked me what colors I use for coloring hair on my images so I thought I would share a list for you.  I hope this helps!  Love, Elle

Blonde:  E50, YR31,E31
Dusty Blonde:  YR31, Y18, Y28
Brunette:  E51, E53, E55
Dark Brunette:  E31, E35, E36, E37
Another combination that works for hair:  Y21, E41, E42, E43, E55

To late for TOMIC!

Hi!  I'm back lol.  I haven't been able to access my blog until today.  I don't know what the problem was but I'm glad it fixed itself!  Today I want to share with you my card from last weeks TOMIC challenge.  Tilda Birthday card with a sketch.  I finally was able to purchase a couple of new stamps from the Magnolia-liscious store and couldn't wait to ink them up.  I used some papers from my stash, a border die from My Favorite Things, a loopy flower that I made myself, and a Happy Birthday stamp from JustRite stampers as well as some of my favorite Nestability dies.  I love the white felt loopy flower-they are so fun to make!  I have about 25 of them in a jar-I couldn't help myself.
I colored her with blue and orange Copic Markers.  Do you like how it turned out?  I do!
I have been busy with the grans Nannying after school and celebrating their birthdays this month.  We have a total of 8 family birthdays in the month of March so I will be sharing some birthday cards in the next several days.  I hope your weather has been as nice as ours!  Take care!  Love, Elle

Heartstrings

Well hello there!  I have been busy running around like crazy and organizing (YIKES!) my studio.  What a job!  A local store has a resell shop that takes your gently used papercrafting items and sells them.  You get 1/2 of the purchase amount so it is a great way to make a little extra cash.  I just got back from dropping off a LARGE bag of stamps.  I figure that if I haven't used them in a year then I don't need to have them here taking up space, right?
Today I want to share with you a fun stamp that I did for a swap with the group Art For The Creative Mind called Heartstrings and Layers.  We were asked to make a card so this is what I came up with.  I used one of the newest stamps from Magnoliscious.  I needed the heartstrings so I drew them on myself.  Isn't she cute?  Add a pretty bow and voila'!  I'm off to sort some of the crap, opps-some of the really neat stuff, on my desk.  It would be nice not to have to work in a 5" x 5" KWIM?  I hope you are enjoying your day!  Love, Elle

It was a Valentine Card

It was a Valentine card!  Really, it was.  BUT my sil had a birthday coming up and we needed a quick card so this one just as quickly became the card of choice.  There isn't much to say about it.  The card is self-explanitory.  It had to get in the mail so I left out the "Happy Valentine Day" and added "Happy Birthday" sentiments on the inside of the card.  I usually don't like pink and red together but this time I think it worked great.  I have been saving this image for just the right card!  Love, Elle

Beach time!

Last summer my best buds, Carol and Jim, renewed their wedding vows on the beach in Hawaii at sunset.  How romantic is that?!!!!  Here is the card that I created for them.  Their actual 25th anniversary was in November.  Can we say late?  I love the sand on this card and the beachy background.  The in her hair were yellow.  Enjoy the card!  Oh yeah!  Mom, dad, big sis, and baby are all home now doing fine.  Love, Elle

Baby Time!

As I speak my step-son and his wife are in the hospital awaiting the Dr.  Will this be the day?  I had to hurry up and make a baby card to go along with their gifts.  I received this beautiful flower in a swap with the group Art For The Creative Mind.  I couldn't wait to use it!  Baby Tilda was the perfect choice to showcase their new (about to be) baby girl Angela.  Isn't it sweet that they are naming it after Charlie's daughter who passed at 5 hrs. old?  So special.  I'm about to decide whether or not to go to my cooking class at William Sonoma.  Charlie (dh) says go and he will call me.  The hospital is about 45 minutes away from us and he seems to think we will have time.  Amber and Todd have a little girl, Madison, from her previous relationship so this isn't her first child and we all know how fast things can go the second time around!  Without further delay here is my card.  p.s.  I sure have missed you while I have been gone!  Love, Elle