Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Update on Freckles...

I have talked to the vet several times now. Her glucose level will not stay up, even on IV, they give her some paste, and it will come up, but then when that wears off it goes back down. The vet feels like we have done everything we could and she is even more disoriented today. We are going in this evening after DH gets off work and have her put to sleep....thank you sooo much for the kind thoughts that you all have left me. It means so much to me. I will be ok, just take a little bit. Missing the simple things already...her greeting me at the door, me bringing her a treat home when I go out (yea she was spoiled, lol), her bugging me to take her nap with her...she could always sense stuff in me too. Times when I would be feeling down, she would try to play, bouncing at me, go through her tricks, actually like she was trying to be funny to make me smile. And she did for 9 years...I just think 9 yrs old is still young for a dog, but the vet keeps saying for her size its old. ok, well...

--CAT

Tiger Lilies, memories of childhood!

When I was a kid we had these growing out back of our house, I just thought they were gorgeous! And when I saw yesterday's color challenge at SCS, pumpkin pie, kiwi kiss, summer sun, those colors reminded me of these flowers and this is the card I came up with:



This was also for the CAS challenge at SCS. Love combining challenges like that, does all the thinking for you basically! I also sponged, can you see it? I almost covered it up though, lol. I've been practicing more with it and getting a bit better I think, at least this is passable! That's all for today of the card making stuffs....more personal stuff below!


We had to take my dog Freckles to the vet yesterday...again. Not good this time. When we got up yesterday morning, she was kinda acting strange, a bit disoriented. Then she fell off the couch, and then as she was trying to get up, she fell over again walking toward me. I thought maybe she had hurt her leg when she fell off the couch or something, made her lie down and would rub her leg, seeing if she acted like it hurt when I touched it, but didnt show any signs of pain. She fell asleep and a little later, she apparently had to go outside to use the bathroom, she was heading toward the door and trying to walk she just fell over, was sorta trembling, and she peed and pooped...scared me to death. It was just so pitiful to see her like that...I called DH to come home and help me take her to the vet (shes weighs about 70lbs) and we go...vet said the tests she was going to run would take a bit and if we had any errands to run and then call and she let us know. Well, long story short, her glucose level was wayyy low. The vet said usually what causes this is not eating or something wrong with the pancreas such as a tumor (remember she had some visible knots removed that I did not have tested for cancer, but could have been the vet said). She has been eating so the vet thinks that it is a tumor in her pancreas. They kept her last night, giving her IV and the last time I called at about 530pm yesterday, the vet said her glucose level had come up a bit, but not much. I am waiting this am for the vet to call back now. She talked to me about having to make a decision too. Which I know she cannot live like she was yesterday...it's just ...hard. to say it mildly. Anyways, she is my baby, raised her from about 2 weeks old, had to bottle feed her and all. She is an extremely smart dog, I have never seen a dog as smart as her and understands so much of what we say...to the point we have to spell in front of her, lol. And now she even understands some spelled words! But that is what I am dealing with today. I know one thing for sure, I will never have another animal after this. I just get too attached to them. And they are just so pitiful when they are hurting or sick....Ok, well enough of my depressing stuff. Thanks for listening if you made it this far! hugsssss
--CAT
Card Details
Stamps: Year In Flowers by Melanie Muenchinger from Gina K Designs
Paper: SU! colored cardstock, white from Gina K
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: copic markers, dragonfly charm, brad, ribbon, sponging with designated colors ink pads, pop dots, scor-pal, rectangle nesties

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

A couple of challenge cards!

Well, I meant to get these uploaded yesterday, but had one of them headaches from you know where, woke up with it and it would just NOT go away! I think I tried every over the counter medication there was, lol! My SIL finally gave me a pain pill, a kind I had taken before so I knew it was ok, and I took half of it and it knocked it out. Better than having to go to ER to get a shot, which I was almost to that point of doing. But all is better in the head area today, thank goodness!!

I made this card for Sharon's Stamp Simple Challenge, to make a card using black ink only and for Taylor's Cupcake sketch challenge, (late getting it up though). The butterfly is sparkly in real life, I went over most of it with a copic spica glitter pen in black too. Here it is:



I just love this color combo, pink/black/kraft/white! One of my favorites right now! I've been using alot of pink lately it seems, lol! I'll try to get off that soon, haha!

And I also alterd another 2yr planner and I made this one with my sister Kelli in mind, used her favorite colors on it:



Although, I am tempted to keep this one myself! I really like how it turned out. She might have to bribe me for this one...hear that Kelli? ROFL! I am going to have to go to her house and get her to set up a blog..or just set it up myself and show her how to do it. She has more stamping stuff than I do and never shows her stuff! I call some of my cards 'kelli cards', because she leans toward the CAS cards more than I do, although I love that style too! But instead of calling them CAS cards, when me and her talk, I tell her I made a KelliCard today go look, lol! Just a little inside joke thing there, lol.

Ok, off to do some creating today I hope! Have a wonderful Tuesday!
--CAT
Card Details:
Stamps: Take Flight from Gina K Designs and Only Ovals from SU!
Paper: SU! cardstock, DP is from Making Memories
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: spica glitter pen in black, oval nesties, clear baubles from K&Co, ribbon, pop dots, CB embossing folder swiss dots.

Altered Planner:
Stamps: Quilters Additions, and Polka Dot Basics from PTI
Paper: SU! and PTI cardstock
Ink: memento tuxedo black, fresh snow from PTI
Accessories: copic markers, 3/4 square punch, scallop border punch, ribbon, piercing pad and tool.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Thumped Flower!

After watching the video at StampTV on 'thumping' that Gina K did, I had to try it! What a fun technique! I have always felt intimidated by solid stamps like this because I just felt like it needed something more, unless you were just doing like a shadow. So with this, I really like the results. Here is my card:



And I also made this card for the CAS challenge this past week at SCS. I am liking those challenges alot! So nice to get a card done in only about an hour, lol! You know, I love all styles of cards, from the detailed ones to the ones like this! And these are like a 'break' for me, lol! I have a more detailed one in the works that I am almost finished with and will be posting here in a bit too though...

Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday! Beautiful day here in Texas, just a bit chilly though...hopefully soon will be seeing some spring buds! Thanks for stopping by today!
--CAT
p.s. I have to tell you how thrilled I am...I had been getting a bit down about my cardmaking...oh I know silly of me, but I do want to be on a DT, permanently, its one of my 'goals' lol! It just kinda makes me feel I am doing this for a PURpose, if that makes sense, lol! I know the people I give my cards to are just thrilled, but..anyways...I got into the favorite threads at SCS this week four times, woohoo!! My very first time too! 2 of the times was for this card, the other two were my little bag I made and the pop up card. Talk about a ego boost, lol! It definitely was was a needed right now!! Thanks sooo much!! Ok, enough of all that...lol.
Card Details
Stamps: Tropical Flowers, Kindred Greetings for her from Gina K Designs
Paper: 120lb pure luxury cardstock from Gina K
Ink: SU! markers
Accessories: ribbon, nesties from embossing and the sentiment cut out, button, paper piercing mat and tool.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Winner of the Dream Tree stamp!

Oh I am soo sorry for not posting this yesterday, I just completely forgot about it! So it just hits me this am and I call the Random Hubby Generator and said, "say a number"...he says "for what this time?" I say, "just say one..." He says, "Not till you tell me why." I'm like WHY does it matter!!?? FINALLY he says, "100" And I go, 'NOOOO I dont have that many comments, it has to be between 1-22" He says, "You didnt say THAT." lmao...Ok, well after the malfunction of the Random Hubby Generator and me having to whack it a time or two, it finally said..."14, you happy now?" YES, thank you very much!! SOOO,

Olde Country Creations!!! Please email me your address so I can get this out to you!!

And again, so sorry for being such a airhead and forgetting to do this yesterday! I'll have a card up later tonight too!
--CAT

Friday, February 20, 2009

Have you seen it??

Over there on my sidebar? The StampTV blinkie? Ok, you have got to click it and join! It's GinaK's new thing! Join and add me as your friend...I be Cathy/catdidit there!



Or click this link, lol!

StampTV!

Growing In Unity Day 5, the Finale! LOL

Howdy again all and I sure hope you have enjoyed the Unity goodness this week! I know I have enjoyed showcasing them! For my final card, I used the technique spotlight tutorial at SCS that was put up Wed and also the Ways to Use It challenge from Thursday, to use stripes. The tutorial is on how to do a pop up card and this is my first one and it was alot of fun! First here is the link to Beate's tutorial:

Pop Up Card

and here is mine, the front:



And it opened:



The hardest part I had making this card, was attaching the inside to the outside base, lol! I got it crooked at first, then didnt line up the fold...LOL! But finally got it passable, still a bit of a area there on the fold that bugs me...BUT, I just think this set from Unity is one of the cutest!! So fun to color and such cute sayings with it! (I used every bit of the stamps in this set on this one card too).

Ok, that's all for now! I will be back later this evening with the winner from me of the 'Dream Tree' stamp! Have a wonderful weekend!
--CAT
Card Details:
Stamps: Hey Chick! From Unity Stamp Co.
Papers: SU! cardstock and DP
Accessories: oval nesties, scallop border punch, SU! ink to paint the birdies using the lids and water, silver rhinestones, SU! ribbon, pop dots, terrifically tacky tape

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Growing in Unity Day 4!! Altered 2 yr. Planner!

Howdy all and Happy Thursday and HIP HOP today!! Don't forget about Hip Hop today in the Unity forum at SCS! Loads of fun to be had by everybody!! Lots of giveaways and good specials I am sure!!

Unity Forum at SCS!


Wow, the week is almost over, it sure flew by! For today's creation, it's not a card this time. I decided to alter one of those 2 year planners. Hobby Lobby had a bunch on clearance the other day for .43 cents...so I grabbed up a few to alter! We are only one month into the year and its good for two years! LOL! Here is one I have finished:



It was super easy to do. I just carefully removed the photo they had for the outer cover, then cut my cardstock to fit (which for this was 7 1/8 by 6 1/2). Then just decorated it, leaving it mostly flat so as not to poke through the plastic or take up too much room. To reattach the planner, I used terrifically tacky red tape, ran a line of it down the middle and just attached it. I just love how this turned out! And I had the hardest time getting a good photo of it too, the light kept reflecting off the plastic and you couldnt see the scoring I added and you STILL cant see how I added a bit of spica glitter pen around the sun and beams, lol, but its there! I think you can buy just the plastic covers too in some places, they call them check book covers at my local LSS...but who carries checks anymore? LOL!

Ok, thats all for today, and see ya during HIP HOP at SCS! I'll be popping in and out, have grandson tomorrow! Thanks so much for stopping by and I have so been enjoying your awesome comments, makes my day!
--CAT
Alterd Planner Details:
Stamps: Unity Stamp Co.
Papers: SU! cardstock
Accessories: 2 yr planner, scallop edge punch, ribbon, scallop corner punch, scor-pal, spica glitter pen, copic markers, oval nesties.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Growing in Unity Day 3!

(whoops! Hit the enter button again with just the title, so sorry if you got that through google reader, lol!)

Hiya again all and welcome to day 3 of my week of Growing in Unity! I'm still in a loving mood even though Valentine's Day is over, so thought I'd make another card with a theme of LOVE on it! LOL! Here it is:



This set, Butterfly Beauty was the first set I purchased from Unity Stamps. I believe it's one set of my Unity ones that has seen the most love! I just love butterflies and with this set, you can either coloring them and just stamp like I have done this one, sort of a monotone card. I scored on the sage shadow cardstock and used the backside of the scoring, then sponged with some sage shadow all over it to get the lines to pop out more. Kinda hard to see in this photo though. But it did make the lines show up more. I think it sorta looks like tile! Then just added a bit of bling here and there and the sentiment is from the kit of the month again put into SU!'s hodgepodge hardware piece. This was another quick card for me!

That's all for today! I had hoped to get a Unity Addict Challenge card done, but dont know if that will happen before the day is over or not, lol! I have really struggled with it for some reason, lol. Hope you are having a wonderfully creative week and thanks sooo much for stopping in and for the wonderful comments!

AND because I just love getting comments, today's comments will be entered into a drawing to win an extra Dream Tree stamp that I have! I ordered the kit that it came in, then won one and so passing that on to one lucky person! Just comment for the Dream Tree stamp on THIS post today, and I will announce the winner of it Friday afternoon!
--CAT
Card Details:
Stamps: Butterfly Beauty from Unity Stamp co.
Papers: SU! cardstock
Accessories: scor-pal, hodgepodge hardware, silver rhinestones, half pearls, ribbon, pop dots, scallop edge punch.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Growing in Unity Day 2!

Welcome back to day 2 of Growing in Unity week! I made today's card using Amber's sketch from last week and another little stamp from January's kit of the month. Another card with a little LOVE on it! Here it is:



I really adore this card, lol! I stamped the image twice and popped it up on pop dots to make it stand out a bit more, used the CB embossing folder and scor-pal on it too, just love all the details I was able to get into this one and the sketch! I made the flower with nesties since I didnt have any to match the papers I used! And then loaded it up with some buttons, lol! Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by today and hope you are having a wonderful week. I will be back again tomorrow with more Unity goodness!
--CAT
Card Details:
Stamps: January Kit of the Month from Unity Stamp Co.
Papers: SU! cardstock, Basic Grey dp
Accessories: CB swiss dots embossing folder, scor-pal, basic grey buttons, SU! ribbon, pop dots, heart rhinestones, square and circle nesties, MM brad, corner rounder punch.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Growing In Unity Week!

Howdy ya'll and welcome to my week to host 'Growing in Unity!' Basically what that means is that I LOVE Unity stamps! and LOTS of us do! Soooo a bunch of us signed up to showcase Unity Stamps for a week on our blog, and Ta-Da! here we are at my week! Be sure and stop back each day this week and leave a comment and you will be entered for a chance to win a Unity single on Thursday during Hip Hop on SCS! woohoo!! Nothing better than FREE stamp now is there?

For my first card, I decided to show the card/gift bag that I gave my daughter for Valentine's Day. I found the inspiration and instructions for this little card/bag on Angie's ChicnScratch Blog. She has such awesome stuff on there! Her's is a Mother's Day one and I made this one a Valentiney:



I used the february kit of the month stamps on mine. This was super quick too! This is SUCH a fun set to have! Even though it does have alot of stamps for Valentine's day in it, you can also use the stamps just to express LOVE!! And the world definitely needs more of that in it! I couldn't find any of the little white bags, but did find some brown ones the right size I wanted and used the kraft cardstock with it so I think it still likes good!

Ok, that's all for today! Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to come back tomorrow for some more Unity goodness! I hope that this will inspire you to spread the LOVE!! It's the month of love!

OHHH!! Also, check out Angela's blog! Read this post:

WORLD RECORD BLOG HOP!!

How fun will that be??!!! I'm in!! Come on and join us!!

--CAT
Card Details:
Stamps: February Kit of the Month from Unity Stamp Co.
Papers: SU! cardstock, dp is by Making Memories
Accessories: nesties, heart rhinestones, ribbon from Making Memories and SU!, scallop border punch, pop dots, oval punch, button by Basic Grey.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

How about a quickie?

Welll, I just found the new CAS Challenges at SCS today. And I really loved doing this card, took all of maybe 20 minutes to do it! LOL! It was an inspiration challenge this week. The inspiration came from Joann's flannel fabrics and this is the one I used:

Coffee cups

And this is my card:



As you can see, not much to it at all but I really love how it turned out! I used my one and only stamp set I have from Flourishes, Coffee With Friends, which I just love. That big ole cup just screams paper piecing to me! And Flourishes had some gorgeous new releases that I sure have been eyeballing...lol. (remembers stamp budget...)haha or trying to...lol.

Well, that's all for today. Next week will be UNITY ALLLL WEEK!! I will be showcasing lots of my favorite Unity Stamps cause I am participating in the 'Growing In Unity' that a bunch of us Unity addicts signed up to do awhile back and next week is my turn...so be sure and check back for a card a day with Unity! That is why the cards where a bit scarce since Wednesday. I have them all done, just waiting to go up on the days they are suppose to post. I don't know if I will have grandson this upcoming week and wanted to get them done just in case, lol!

Personal stuffs ahead...so if you want to move on, I will understand!

I also want to ask a favor....Please say a prayer for my daughter...she is 25 yrs old and is in an abusive relationship, plain and simple...I do not understand it, I cannot comprehend someone staying with someone like that. I personally have called the police and they arrested him before even....I ask for prayer because I keep hoping and praying myself that she will wise up one day and realize what a toxic relationship this is and that he is NOT going to change...it's been almost 3 years now and he hasnt...I cannot make her realize what this does to my grandson, her child....she will say 'he hasnt ever touched him'...and I say OH YES he is, maybe not physically, but mentally he HAS!! UG!!! I cannot tell you how frustrated I am and dealing with this for so long...I have cried many a tear and hesitated even telling anybody about it because it really is embarrassing....I raised my daughter smarter than this...she was not raised in an abusive home....I just cannot grasp WHY she stays with him....ok...sorry for all that...I just believe strongly in the power of prayer and wanted to ask that favor...Thanks so much if you read all this!!

Have a wonderful rest of this Sunday!
--CAT
Card Details:
Stamps: Coffee With Friends from Flourishes and Polka Dot Basics from PTI
Paper: SU! cardstock, dp from a pack by Basics I think it's called
Ink: Fresh Snow from PTI, memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: ribbon, pop dots

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Soo, What's Moo?

I made this card using CPS102 for this week. It's sponsored by Starving Artists this week and I was inspired! (plus you have a chance to win some awesome SA stamps! LOL!) I do love SA's stamps so much, the ones I have don't see enough ink and I'm wanting more! I turned the sketch and hope it close enough to pass...



The fringe on the side I made just using cardstock, its suppose to represent hay...lol! The barn image was a fun image to color too. I can't wait to get those new scenes from SA cause I know I'd have a blast coloring those.

Ok that's all for now. I have been having a problem with my emails. For some reason, its marking alot of them as 'spam' and sending to my spam folder..which I had set to delete when I exit. I think I got it straightened out now though, hopefully! Also, going to daughters house here in just a bit and I will be gone a day or two there, so won't have a card for a couple of days. I have some made but they are for next week!

Have a wonderful rest of the week and I be back tomorrow or next day! Thanks for stopping by!
--CAT
Card Details
Stamps: Doodlefactory Country from Starving Artists, Polka Dot Basics from PTI
Papers: SU! cardstock
Accessories: Prism pencils and OMS, brads, ribbon, dimensionals, nesties tags

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Joanne's 'Get Krafty' challenge!

(I accidentally hit the enter button with just the title saying 'Joanne's' in case anybody got that, *snorts*)

OK! LOL! I think I need more coffee this am! But anyways...I made this for Joanne's challenge in the Gina K forum at SCS called 'Get Krafty'. We were to use kraft card stock. Which is easy for me since I LOVE kraft card stock. It just goes with so many colors to me! I used Melanie's A Year In Flowers set and used the tulips to make my card..here is is:



I cut out the circle part with the circle nesties..first on the kraft cardstock, used just a plain circle nestie to position it and then cut it out, then took a piece of white cardstock and made the scallop 'frame'. To do that, I first just cut out the scallop piece, then positioned a plain circle nestie inside of that and cut the circle out..if that makes sense, lol. I think I might give this to my sister for valentine's...or sister in law, havent decided which yet. Kelli, my sister, she SOMETIMES visits my blog and if she happens to see it before then...well, it will go to my sister in law, lol!

Boy, Ive been on a roll lately! How's the picture size to everybody? OK now? I dont want it so big it's like all in your face and you could see all my booboos, rofl.

Hope you are having a wonderful Tuesday! Off to find another challenge somewhere to play with, lol!
--CAT
Card Details
Stamps: A Year In Flowers by Melanie Muenchinger from Gina K Designs
Paper: SU! cardstock
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: circle nesties, scallop border punch, ribbon, oval punches, butterfly charm, dimensionals, koh-i-noor pencils with OMS, MS clear rhinestone, paper piercing tool and mat.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Cutting it out!

Today's technique challenge at SCS was to 'Cut it out!' What a fun challenge! Here is my card I made for it today...and hoping if you click it its larger for you!



I did the cutting around the CB embossing with my scissors, but then had to break out the craft knife too. I suffered no war wounds this time, yay! LOL! Was actually a pretty quick card to put together, except me deciding where to place everything lol.

Whew, it's Monday and the start of a whole new week! I dont have grandson all week, just one day this time so I get to play alot this week! Hope you have a wonderful week too!
-CAT
Card Details
Stamps: Owl Always Love You from GinaK DesignsPaper: SU! cardstock
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: CB folder, nestie tag thing, eyelets, ribbon, button, hemp twine, dimensionals, coluzzle circle cutter, prism colored pencils with OMS


p.s. I have been playing around with the new sewing machine...lol. I am sure some of you 'sewers' out there would get a kick out of me trying to thread the darn thing and load that freaking bobbin....but I did it! woot! Maybe a card with it next time...maybe...lol!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Ok, seeing how this looks and a Color Challenge!

Wellll, I still do not have everything set on the puter like I need YET. I had grandbaby last week and just could not do it with him here. BUT I did get some cards made, some for a swap that I cant show just yet and this card. I only could edit this photo in the program that came with my camera. It will let me crop and adjust color if needed..I dont like how you put text on it and I have to adjust size on my camera...so seeing how this looks here on the ole blog for the first time, lol! I also made this for the Color Throw Down Challenge found HERE. We were to use Pink Piroutte, Chocolate Chip, and Riding Hood Red.
Ok here it is:



I know blogger resizes them too, but like when you click on this picture of the card, it will probably be HUGE! LOL! Anyways...I did a bit of watercoloring on this card, using the SU! ink pads. The image was stamped then embossed with clear embossing powder to help me stay in the lines, lol. All the other you can tell what I did I imagine! I also did up the inside really pretty because even though I am late mailing this out, I am still going to send!

Ok, off to work on more cards. I have bought me a sewing machine, lol! And the last time I touched a sewing machine was when I took home economics that my Mom forced me to take in 9th grade in high school...about 32 years ago, haha! Should be interesting, no? rofl!

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. And thanks to everybody that stuck around through my down time (I guess you would call it, lol) And now crossing fingers this card doesnt look fugly....

EDITED TO ADD:
HAHA! NOT huge...its TINY...
Ok, so I resized with my camera a bit much I do believe!! LOL! I will try a different setting next time!


--CAT
Card Details
Stamps: Best Friends and sentiment from Friendship Blooms from Gina K Designs
Papers: All SU!
Accessories: ribbon, nesties, scallop edge punch and fancy scallop corner punch, brads, pop dots, ink pads and paint brush, circle scallop punch.

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