Cut Out To Be Friends........FMS290

Has anyone else had to take a picture of your kiddo.....or grandkiddo.....with one of the Mario characters at Target? Such fun and wonderful marketing!  My son dug out some old Nintendo games and recently introduced Emma to the Mario Brothers. We even managed to teach her how to play Dr. Mario over a rainy Memorial Day weekend - amazing how quickly little ones pick up video games!

Kim has such a fun sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Be creative and have fun with it!

Stamp Set:  Crafting Forever

Paper:  Emerald Envy, White, Party Animal DSP

Ink:  Dapper Denim, Copics

Tangerine Tango Ribbon and Enamel Heart

Fusion: Chalkboard Baking

I took my cue from the picture this week at Fusion.....love that chalkboard look!  I used Distress Oxide inks for the background and stamped images in black.  A stamping friend let me borrow an old stamp set with baking images but she had no idea where it came from......no label on the container. Anyway the sugary images matched perfectly with a sentiment from Fresh and Fruity by Sunny Studio.

I could have taken my cue from the bright colors in this photo as well.

It is finally warm enough to plant the geraniums in the flower boxes.  Hopefully we had our last freeze this past week. Miss E has potted her flowers and is headed to the playhouse in the back yard to put them in her window boxes!

It is fun to play at Fusion - use the picture, use the sketch or both!

Birthday Girl.....FMS289

Once upon a time long ago I was reading the newspaper and saw an ad for poodle pups.  I said to the Big Guy, "I think I will go get one of those pups."  To which he replied, "We don't need a dog......we already have a dog."  Well that was true - we had a Scottie who had developed Cushing's Disease and had been given about six more months to live.  

And then the Big Guy......who sees all and knows all.......said "I won't be discussing this further as I will have no say in this matter, correct?"  That was correct!

That afternoon I met my sweet Abby Girl who weighed only a pound and a half. Four weeks later that tiny ball of energy joined our family.  She is quirky, quick and fun to be around. Miraculously my Scottie pepped up after meeting this new little critter, responded to medication and lived another six years!  And this week we celebrated Abby's 15th birthday. Her secret to a long healthy life might have something to do with the treats that the Big Guy always carries in his pockets......

I'm excited to be hosting this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Hope you play along with my sketch!  I'll be by to visit your gallery if you do!

                                                  

Stamp Sets:  Painter's Palette, Balloon Celebration, Balloon Adventures

Reality Check.......FMS288

I love this image from the new set Crafting Forever and I paired it with a sentiment from Eastern Palace.  In my mind my crafting tools are all arranged in pots or baskets or jars at all times......just like the pot you see here.  But in reality my desk looks like the paper behind the pot!  I bet you can relate.....

My oh so talented friend Jen Mitchell designed a great sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches.  Hope you join us!

Stamp Sets:  Crafting Forever, Eastern Beauty
Ink: Copics, Memento Black
Paper:  Whisper White, Pick A Pattern DSP

Fusion - Navy Patterns

The picture at Fusion this week has a crisp color scheme with a hint of a nautical theme. But since I get seasick very easily I decided to sail through the sky with my design instead of across the sea.  That's the fun part of our Fusion challenge - use the picture, use the sketch, or use both - just let your imagination soar - or sail!

Stamp Set:  Lift Me Up

Paper: Carried Away DSP, Crumb Cake, Whisper White

Ink: Night of Navy

Hello 92! FMS287

My mother turned 92 this week - amazing!  She is very forgetful but is still always up for a good outing especially when it involves Emma and fish and chips.  So we took her to her favorite fish place for a birthday luncheon.  

                                                

We only put two candles on the cake for 92 so of course there was a lot of negotiation about who was blowing out which candle..........these two never stop when they are together.....

                                          

.

My mother is often asked what her secret is for a long life. She always says never take medicine, eat a bacon sandwich for breakfast every day and stop smoking.  It has worked for her.....she takes no medicine, eats a lot of bacon and smoked for over 50 years before she quit in her 70's!  So I am not sure if the AMA would give her advice the stamp of approval! 

My talented friend Jen Timko has a great sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  My card today showcases a new set from Stampin Up! called Bike Ride and some of the new in colors:  Lemon Lime Twist, Fresh Fig and Tranquil Tide.

Stamp Sets:  Bike Ride (SU), Ribbit Ribbit (Avery Elle), Well Scripted Hello (Wplus9)

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Eastern Palace DSP

Ink:  Lemon Lime Twist, Fresh Fig, Tranquil Tide, Crumb Cake

Sweet Thanks.....FMS286

We are approaching strawberry season here - our official start to summer!   That must have inspired me to use those funky berries from Fresh Fruit.  Or maybe it was this little strawberry that inspired me.....

And while certain family members were having fun splashing around in the Florida sunshine - other family members were home splashing around in a paint can.  The Big Guy stayed home to dog sit, strip wallpaper and paint the bathroom. Disney Magic just does not work on him.   Now if Tinkerbell scattered snowflakes instead of fairy dust he just might be persuaded.......

My talented friend Narelle designed our cool sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Hope you join us!

My friends at the Paper Players have a fun tic-tac-toe challenge this week!  I went right down the middle with green, die-cut, and leaves.

Stamp Sets:  Fresh Fruit, Swirly Bird

Ink:  Watermelon Wonder, Cucumber Crush, Pear Pizazz, Black

Paper: Whisper White, Fruit Stand DSP, Watermelon Wonder

Die Cuts:  Wonky Stitches (Avery Elle)