Lots of Goodies for Little Paws!!

   If you have been wondering why I have not been playing in many challenges or even posting a lot, it's because I have been super busy ever since I adopted my second dog, "Skye" - back in April.   She's the newest love in my home and I'm very thankful to some special people I met while working to adopt her.

   She's a Rescue and I've since become an every bigger fan of Resuce groups and all they do.  Not only saving dogs, but to also find them wonderful "Forever Homes".   They are so many dogs that are mis-treated and the stories can be so heartbreaking to hear, I admit, I can't even read some and it kills me to think of how mean and cruel some people are and I can't image how they could treat any animal in such horrific ways.

   Rescue's are so important and I am honored to be working to help raise funds for "Little Paws Dachshund Rescue".   Me having Skye all started with a post on my blog and after online friends read it, it was shared with a gal name Fabre, who was at that time part of the Rescue where I adopted Skye and I think in my heart I owe so much to her for telling me more about Rescues and also for another member of this group, Maria, who also did my home visit!   Both these ladies have now joined up with some wonderful gals form the South and have jointly formed Little Paws.   I'm in the process of applying to be a Foster for this wonderful group and hope in time, I may have another little dog in the house, while they find their new home.

   Fabre had contacted me a few weeks ago, knowing that I am a card-maker and asked me if I could possibly make her some cards to sell at her upcoming Yard Sale, which is now next weekend.  It was also at that time, I told her I had oodless of craft goodies that I wanted to donate and she'll was thirlled to accept them.  Knowing that I can't drive long distance, she even offered to come pick up everything and I'm excited that we'll be meeting this week, so I can give her all the cards I have done, along with a nice supply of goodies to sell.   ALL the proceeds from the entire sale will be donated to Little Paws and that is amazing. I hope the yard sale is a huge success and that my card help out too.   The group also have an Etsy Store, called "Artful Paws" where they are currently selling cards that Fabre created.  She too is an avid crafter, on top of being a Dog Lover.  If you would like to visit the store - please go here!   Hopefully, in time, you'll see some of my cards there too!!

    So, that is exactly what I have been up for the past couple of weeks, along with raising and training a new puppy, which has been so much fun.  It's also been a challenge, at times and Skye can be a bit of a rascal, but she's still so worth all the time and work and I can't imagine our lives without both Skye and Scout.  The picture below is the two of them hanging out right next to my in my craft room.  Scout was sleeping away, all alone in his bed, when Skye suddenly decided to jump right in.   He's so good with her and let's her win all the battles they have over toys and such...but when it comes to food, NO one better take ANY of Scoutie's  he is a full bred Doxie and LOVES to each!!

      And this is a photo of the cards I have made for the Rescue, (I'm almost up to 50, and the majority are all fun little "dog" themed cards).

   Every card is different, as that's how I always create, but I could make most of them again, if someone really loved one.  I might have to substitute a color or some patterned paper, but it would certainly be very close.   The next picture is just half of what I have pulled out and packed up for the Yard Sale.   I have nother pile (about the same size) that Hubby has already carried downstairs for me, so it will be all set for Fabre's Pickup!!

  And I'll share a few more pics of the most recent cards that I have added to the collection, including these first two which were created with these brand new "pre-colored" images that I bought from Lili of the Valley.  I loved them so much, I have already gone back and ordered more!   You can find them HERE at their store!!  They are called Art Pads and come in a variety of styles, but I just LOVED the dogs and animals and they are wonderful for cards.  You simply cut them to the size you want, then add a nice mat, some embellishments and your are done!   They are many ways you can use one image and make totally differents looks and styles!  It's your choice and the images are adorable!   I also bought one of the Christmas sets and I'm sure I'll have fun with those too!!

  On that card, I matted the image on black cardstock and stamped on the Happy Birthday Sentiment.  I added sparkle with a Wink of Stella Marker, (not showing too well in the photo).  I then created a card base with some black and white Zig Zag paper from Amuse and I had this sweet card.

   And this is another one, which I used a Circle Nestie Die to cut out the image and then put it together to make a wonderful little A2 Size card.   I added the sentiment and the stamped heart line across the top with stamps from this set, by Kristina Werner for SSS.

    

  This cutie was also created to submit to the new "Animals" Challenge being hosted this week over at Crazy 4 Challenges as well as the "Anything Goes" Challenge hosted over at "Through The Craftroom Door"!!   

   And that brings me to this new card, which I made yesterday, as part of the 90 Minute Scramble over at Hero Arts Flick Group.  Our theme was to make a Masculine Card and it create it in the colors of our favorite Sports Team, which for me is the New England Patriots, who wear red, white, silver and blue Uniforms.   The cut little dog and the sentiment on this card is also by Hero Arts and from this set, named - I Love my Dog!!

  After I finished that card, which I was very easy, I still had plenty of time, and decided to try out another of my newest stamps from Hero, which is another of "Shari's Trees" # 2!!  I again had to create with my teams colors, but always enjoy making my Holiday Cards in non-traditional colors, so this worked out perfect for me.

  I also submitted this fun Christmas Card to this month's Contest over at Hero Arts.  The them for this month is to create a card using something from the new "Stamp Your Story" line or one of the new Holiday Stamps.   If you would like to see all of the new Holiday Stamps you can find the new catalog HERE, over at Hero, along with the "Stamp Your Story" goodies which came out earlier!!   Some of the new things are already available and I found and purchased my wonderful "Shari's Trees" stamps at my favorite little stamp store on Etsy - A2Z Scrapbooking, which always has some time of promo code to help save me some money!!  

  I also have another fun card to share and this one was actually created for a challenge at "Cas(E) This Sketch", but I with my crazy schedule, by the time I finished it and took the picture, I realized it was too late to submit, but the card will be donated to Little Paws and was really fun to make.   This is a copy of the Sketch that inspired me!   As you can see I also flipped the sketch to make a vertical card!

My Card

  I love how the bow came out on this card and although I have owned this die set for awhile, it's one that I now realize I do not use enough.  It's from My Favorite Things and you can find it HERE, in their store.  I actually bought mine at my LSS, as they carry this line, but I also like to shop at the store.  And if you do too, then you'll want to stop over now and check out the amazing sale they are hosting on some of the dies and stamps!  I already placed an order and was thirlled at the prices!!  I also LOVE their wonderful inks and cardstocks too!!  My thanks to Jennifer Scull for sharing the sale information on her blog!!  It was because of her, I found out and had the chance to add some new dies to my collection, all at an amazing price!  Thank you Jenn!!

  And here are a couple more of the newest "doggie" cards before I head out to take mine for a walk!  They both just had dinner and I like to take them out shortly after!!

                                     Bye Bye for now.....

Happy August..the "Dog Days" of Summer!!

....I can't believe how busy I have been and how behind I am on my blog.    When I started my post and the some of the cards I'm sharing it was early August, and where we are now on the 20th!!  WOW!!  Talk about time flying by....it's going MUCH to fast for me.

     When I last posted I had shared a few quick pictures of the cards I have been making to support "Little Paws Dachshund Rescue" and today I'm back to share some more along with a few new cards I put together for some challenges too.

   I'm also very happy and excited to let everyone know that I finally find my missing set of Copics, which I have spent almost two weeks searching for.  And of course, with my luck I found them yesterday, about 3 hours after I had finally given up and ordered a brand new set!!   So now, I will have two and one will be my Class set and the only set I will travel with.  The second will be my cherished set, because I also bought them with money I was given for my Birthday, which was on Sunday!  As many of you know I also share my Birthday with my Hubby, although he is 3 years older and we wont' even talk about ages, as I'm now longer loving my "number".  I guess as you get older, you like the numbers less and less!!   We are not the type who have a "big event" for our birthday, we simply enjoy a night out with friends and that's still upcoming and something we have to look forward too!!

    When I went to work on his card, I was lost for ideas....so I headed right over to Pinterest, my favorite place for Inspiration.  I typed "Male Birthday Cards" into the search box and was amazed as how much that collection has grown, since I first joined Pinterest in the very early stages, when it was brand new.  I'm so pleased with it and hope it says as popular as it it.    This is the card that I really like and I had wanted something with lots of circles and color, so it was perfect and I LOVED the design.  It did not link back to a blog, but in looking closely at the Watermark, it appears that it was designed by Jackie Pedro and I give her all the credit!!  Love it!

Inspiration Card

My Card

   I am not much of a yellow fan, but I sure do love aqua and always loves black and white, so I knew I could use those along with some cool orange scraps and make my own little take on her idea.  I did use different papers and sizes and my own pattern for the circles, but as you can see it's very much based on Jackie's design!!  Thank you Jackie -- I am always stumped on male cards and having an idea or even a sketch is a huge bonus for me, when I'm lacking any Mojo!!

    My main goal lately has been to work on cards for the Fundraiser and also continue to work on packing up items to donate to the huge yard sale that is also being done to raise funds for this wonderful Rescue.  I have already packed up about 5 boxes of craft supplies, including my Baby Bug Cricut, lots of Rubber and Clear Stamp, ink pads, papers and so much more!    Fabre, who is the gal hosting this event, is even going to come up and pick up all my donations along with the cards, so I have about another week to keep going and hope this will be a huge success!!  

   Here are a few more pics of the cards I have put together.  I've found some cute new "clipart" at Etsy and continue to be on the search for more "Dachshund" images.    If you know of any I can purchase online, please let me know.  I also have a few stamp sets and will also use some other images of cute puppies and such.  My other goal is to make more Thank You and Sympathy cards, as they are always needed!   Anything that doesn't sell at the yard sale, will also be added to the Little Paws new Etsy Store and an eBay store opening soon!   

   And I have a few more cards to share including this next one, which I just finished up today for a little challenge that Barb put together over the the Hero Arts Flickr Group.  She challenged us all to create a card using Hero products (of course) and to use the color Gray along with another color.  I chose Pink.  We were also allowed to add Neutrals (white, kraft and black).  I started with this wonderful floral background stamp (Everything Flower), which I inked up with with two of my Hero Shadow Inks -- Bubblegum and Soft Granite!  I stamped it directly to a piece of white cardstock and then used the "paint dots" from the "Not Perfect" clear set to color in some of the flowers, in the contrasting color, (Pink or Gray).   I then added a gray strip for my sentiment and chose to make it a Sympathy Card, which I heat embossed in White.  I added that across the card, along with two strips of pink cardstock and than added it all to a Hero Hero Gray (Charcoal) card that ,made from their these laying papers.   

    And last, but not least, I have one more card that I created today for the current challenge over at the Muse Card Club.  I am also sharing a copy of our "Muse" card, which I think is another wonderful creation by Marion.

   For this card I started by Masking off the bottom on the card and then took this Hero Stamp - Jumping Flowers, which I double inked in two amazing Pink inks.  The first being the darker pink which is an oldie I have from Colorbox and the second pink is a gorgeous Angel Pink from the amazing new Memento Luxe Inks, which I absolutely LOVE!!  I have bought all my favorite colors and think this is one of the best Pigment Inks EVER!!  You can find them at Oozak for a fabulous price, not to mention Rusty's super same day shipping and excellent customer service!!   A store I love for value and service!  If you are like me and also love Copics, this is where I now buy all my Refills and Sketch Markers--his prices can not be beat and I love that your order ships the very same day -- if you order before 3PM!   This is also where I bought my "Anniversary Set", the one that had been missing!!  

  And that's it for today!  I do have more cute little "Doxie" cards done, but some will have to be a surprise!!  Tomorrow, I hope to work on them again and also finish package up goodies for the huge Yard Sale!  I really hope it's a big success and brings in lots of money for "Little Paws".  As you must know by now, I'm a huge fan of Dachshunds and own two of my own.  Scout and Skye who are my little furbaby loves!!  It's actually time for me to take them out for a walk and that's where I'm going now!!  Have a great evening and as always -- Happy Crafting!

Just a note....

....That's the sentiment I used on my "Muse" card today, which is pretty much a CASE of the card that was provided to us this week as our inspiration!!    This fun and adorable sentiment is one I have used on many cards, and it comes from this great set by Paper Smooches.   And being that my mind is kind of stuck on Dogs, Dachshunds and Puppies and I could not seem to come up with anything that looked as nice as "Laurie's" card, so I re-created my own version, using some of the same supplies.    I would never had thought to put all this bright and happy colors together, but seeing Laurie's card, made me realize how well it works, although I can see now that the printed version I had on my desk, shows the blue as being much darker!!  I also love her flowers, but with so much going own, I had to come up with something different that would be very quick and easy for me!   I used this awesome "Sunflower" Die from Memory Box....!

Laurie's Muse Card!!

My Card

    I also used my Silhouette Cameo to create the little label for my Sentiment and used a different embossing folder for my green layer.  My card is actually a bit lighter in person, and in looking at it now, I may have added a bit too much "bling"....LOL!  I guess I was in bling kind of mode, when I started adding the pearls.

   Of course that may be because my focus has been on nothing but dogs...and I mean than in all ways.  I am still working on cards for the Little Paws Dachshund Rescue Fundraiser and I'm having fun with my little dogs outside today, before the rain moves in.   These are some new pictures I took today, while we were outside enjoying the sunshine.

Black Eye-Susans from the Garden

One of my favorite flowers...they bloom in July and will last 

into September and October!!  

 

    Scout is the Big Guy and my Senior, he'll be turning ten on August 28th!!!   He's turning all white now, which is some what unusual.  Most Doxies, will turn white in the face, but he's turning all over and even his paws are now totally white.   He was considered a "Red" Smooth Hair and he's a true Love Bug.   It is always a challenge to get a picture of him...he never sits still for me and keeps on moving???

   But, little Miss Skye, loves to lounge in the sun and always goes to this little spot.   Today, there were quite a few ants there and she was fascinated in looking at them and trying to figure out "what" they are.  But, once they started crawling on her, so did not seem to care for that and moved to a new spot.

 And in between, I also finished up a couple more "Dog Themed" cards for "Little Paws".  My first two were started with an adorable little "Dachshund" stamp that is from a Paper Smooches Set.   This first card was created to be a fun little "Friendship" or "Love" card and was created all in shades of teal and aqua.  I colored up the little Doxie with my Copics in various Green and Blue Greens.  The little paw prints are also from the same set and I've added those to some of my envelopes, as well as on the inside of a few cards.

And then I made this one, perfect for Christmas...

the Sentiment is also from the same set...."Santa Paws" --Super Cute!!

   

   And the next few were created with more "digi images" that I found while searching over the weekend.  I also found a super new set of clear stamps from a store called My Little Stamps, after seeing a cute card on Pinterest!!   And the blogger who created the card and shared the store name, which I found easily...I was lucky too, because all the stamps are currently 50-80% off!   Woohoo!  I Love a SALE and that made this set only $3.00!    I ordered on Sunday and my set arrived today!  Awesome!!  Stay turned for new cards featuring the set very soon!

    This card "features" Dizzy Dachshund, a very cute little Dachshund that arrives Pre-colored, making it a breeze for me to make this card, also in some of my favorite shades of aqua and teal!!  

    And my last two cards were also created with more of the fun clip-art I picked last week.   I just love these sweet little Camping Dogs and you may have seen them in a challenge card I created last week for a "Camping" theme.  I have added my own text to the sign the dog is holding and can change it to whatever I desire.  It also reminds me of a dog who is all packed up and ready to move to his new home, much like the whole idea of Rescue Dogs!!

  Lastly, is another very easy card and one that I am not loving....I feel like it's missing something or needs something?  Maybe it's simply the colors...I think I may end up taking this one apart and doing a different type of background! It was the last card I finished, so I think I'm also tired.   As much fun as my afternoon was, sitting in the dental chair this morning for my "temporary" crown, was NOT fun.  And to think, I still have to go back on Monday for the final impressions and then one last time for the fitting!   Dental work is NOT my thing....dread every minute and can't wait for it all to be done!!   But, that won't be soon, since I've since broke another tooth!

   

It's all about the dogs...

...and as you know, I have become such a huge dog lover, and even though I have always liked and enjoyed dogs, I really never knew how much until I adopted two of my own.  Now, they are my joy and bring a lot of extra happiness into my life.

    I also have a passion for card-making as as most of you know this hobby came into my life just six years ago, after Fibromyalgia and Degenerative Disc Disease, really changed me and my life.  I found myself kind of lost after realizing I would no longer work, without being in miserable pain...!  All of a sudden I was now home, my kids were grown and I really had not had many hobbies, because I was always so busy.  Working, raising my boys and being a Mom.  Now, I had no "role" or so it seemed and desperately needed something to fill the void.   That's when papercrafting first came into my life and now I absolutely LOVE it...nothing is more relaxing to me, then sitting back and coloring with my Copics.  I also love learning new ideas and techniques and enjoy trips to my LSS to take card classes and shop, of course.

    Knowing all that, I was asked this past week if I could make some cards, that will be sold at events and a new store to be opening on Etsy shorty and all the proceeds from this will go to "Little Paws Dachshund Rescue" which I have recently become very attached too!   As you may have read, I'm in the process of completing an application to become a "Foster" for the group and really hope in some way I can help bring others together with a rescue dog.   I'm so in love with mine that I almost want to adopt one more, but I have to be realistic and right now, with Fibro and a puppy, I know in my heart it would be quite a challenge.  Scout is so easy....and my love bug, but Skye is a little handful at times, and until she's totally grown and much easier, I thing Fostering is a much better solution for me.  I can better help others to find a new dog and also save some who may otherwise have no chance of finding their furever home.

    Once I had my new project to work on, I went to work on looking through my stamps, digi images and clipart to see what I had to use.  I also went "shopping" online and bought some new clipart and digi images, all in the adorable "Dachshund" theme and now I'm working on my cards and have already finished up about ten!   Fabre, who contacted me, is also hosting a Yard Sale at her home, in early September, which will be a fundraiser for Little Paws.  That has also inspired me, to donate all those excess craft supplies that I have not used in ages, plus all those I had put aside for a new teacher who had been looking for supplies, last summer.  Sadly, she never contacted me, so I have everything here, all set to go.   I'm also excited to donate my "Baby Bug Cricut" along with tools and mats!   I'll also have lots of stamps and fun craft goodies, and hope they bring in some money for the Rescue!

    I will be working on more cards and packing up for the next couple of weeks and it's also helping me to purge and become more organized...something I have been planning to do for a long time!   So, if I am not online to much, you'll know I'm having fun and doing my little part to help out.   I'm also thrilled to be taking very cool lettering class this coming weekend at my LSS.  It's going to be taught by the very talented Joanne Sharpe, who is amazing!  You can check out her blog and work HERE!!

    And last by not least, I'm sharing some pics of a few of the cards I have done, along with a card that I created for the newest challenge at "Addicted to CAS"  I'm hoping I can still play in some challenges from time and time and tie in some on my cards.  And I will of course, be playing in the next Hero Arts 90 Minute Scramble coming up on Sunday!   Woohoo!!  Lots of in my life and two very happy doggies, both having a nice morning nap, after we ventured out for a nice walk this morning!  We are having the best weather...no humidity...lots of sunshine and bright blue skies.  Love it and this card, which was inspired by the new challenge also is very suitable for today....!!

My Card

   And these are some of the cards I have put together to benefit "Little Paws" !  If anyone knows of any super cute Dachshund Stamps or images that would make great cards, please share.  I have two cuties from Paper Smooches, one from Whipper Snapper Designer, plus lots of clip art, a few cute digis and a Memory Box Die...!  Thanks in advance for any hints and ideas!

     The top card was created with a cute little digi "Spotty Dog", that I've had for a long time, from DigiStamp Boutique and the little "Love Bug" card was one I created this weekend, with this adorable "clip art" I bought from this sweet Etsy Store.   I loved all her creations and bought all the Dachshunds, of course!   Plus, this cute set called "Dizzy Dachshund"  from Doodle Pantry!!  I also found some cute "Camping" puppies from this set, which I used for a challenge early this week.     I know there are probably many more stores that have images and I am most interested in Digi Images, because I love to color and love the instant downloads -  if you know of any more....again --- Please Share!!

     

I love Fridays!!!

  Always have and always will!   It's the end of the work week for most people, so they are in good moods, everyone is usually excited about the weekend and it's often a nice day!

   Today, it's clearing up nicely after some much needed rain overnight and it's also cooling down a bit, but still nice and warm, just like Summer should be.  The hard part is that I can hardly believe we are already into August and dread the thought that Fall and Winter will be here soon.  I would much rather it was still only Spring and we have that and all of the Summer to come.

    I'm also finding more and more time to create, now that Skye is growing up and being such a good girl, plus I am looking forward to hopefully doing some fostering in the next few months.   I think it so beneficial to help other dogs find good homes, and I know that one more, (especially a slightly older Doxie) would not be any problem...simply more fun and that's why I hope it works out!  It something I thought about before I adopted Skye and the longer I have both her and Scout, the more I really want to do this.  I know that I had a lot of doubts when Skye was young and really giving me a run for my money, but she is a puppy, after all and I had NO clue just how much work that was going to be.  I've learned that lesson and would never feel comfy taking in another Puppy, but I'm so drawn to the seniors like Scout and having a older playmate for him, would be nice too!   So that's my goal and we'll simply see how things fall into place!

   Today, I have three new cards, all inspired by challenges and the first two were actually both inspired by the brand new Cas(E) This Sketch Challenge and I think I may even submit both cards.   I made this card first and it started by stamping this fun Hero Arts Pom Pom Flower Stamp and the re-stamping it again on Patterned Paper that I cut to paper-piece onto my card front.   I colored the rst with my Copics and this cute little sentiment is from on of my older CTMH sets!!   A very fun and CAS style card that I thought worked out pretty close to this sketch:

Sketch # 39

   My Card

My Second Card

   For my second card I decided to create my own flower and used my wonderful Cameo for that.   I found a couple different flowers that liked and cute several in various colors of patterned papers.  I then picked out the ones I like the most and put them together to make a this fun little flower.   I added Crystal Accents to the little red heart for extra dimension and sparkle.  I also cut my sentiment banner on my Silhouette and stamped on my sentiment, which is from a Hero Arts set.  

    And next is another fun card and this one was inspired by this week's challenge over a CASology, which I was pretty stumped at first, since I didn't have ANY stamps or digi images that were at all camp related.  But after doing some searches, I found this fun new online place -- Digi Web Studio, that sells a wonderful variety of ClipArt, Digi Stamp and so much more and that's where I found a set of adorable little animals all in a camping kind of theme.  I bought two sets and then decided I wanted to use this sweet little dog.  I copied him into word an then by added on the "Camp Puppy" sign, using new text boxes.   

  And speaking of puppies, lookie who was hiding under the bed, Miss Skye!!    Of course, she was chewing on something she shouldn't be, which is why she was hiding, but Mom found her right away and took away the piece of trash....this girl will eat about anything....!!!  She has now learned how to tip over the trash barrels around the house and go through them to see what she can find?   I have most up higher now and luckily the larger ones downstairs have covers, but she's a little scavenger and like most "Doxies" is always up for a meal or a treat!!

    As you can see, she wasn't overly happy that I took away her toilet paper roll, but she's now and is having a better time chewing up another toy!!  

   Just when you think they are finally out of the chewing stage, it comes back for a second found, as new teeth continue to come in.  Good think we have plenty of chewy toys and lots of Teething bones...she really loves to chew and one of her favorite activities is "de-stuffing" and removing the squeakers from any stuffed toys.  We have a box full of remains, but she and Scout both still want them and enjoy playing with them...GO Figure!!

    That's it for now...I'm heading out to take the dogs for a nice walk!!   Oh how I love these warm sunny days and spending lots of time outside!!