More Pictures

~~Swimmin Wimmin Brunch ~~

My Swimmin Wimmin brunch was a great success !!! Everyone attended and they all brought me such sweet hostess gifts!!The reason you haven't seen any cards from me lately is because of the menu....I have to share that will y'all too! On my small lil kitchen table I had 2 kinds of Quiche, 2 classic Quiche Lorraine and 2 ham and cheese, 3 types of mini muffins, fresh blueberry, lemon poppy seed and banana nut.I had a tray of sausage balls and cheese straws.Dear sweet Jimmie Gayle insisted on bringing the salads and she brought a delicious strawberry salad as well as one with craisins, both on beds of romaine with vinaigrette dressing.I had a hash brown casserole as well as cheese grits in my lil warming gadget, sitting on the counter.A coffee station was set up, with a carafe of coffee and 3 types of yummy flavorings to add, along with the soft candy canes in a vintage sugar bowl, for stirring .Next was the Mimosa station, where I had the champagne in an ice bucket, orange juice in a pretty glass pitcher and thin sliced oranges on a vintage glass butter dish, to decorate the flutes with.Oh and I had apple cider simmering in a cute lil green enamel pot on the stove with a red speckled enamel dipper.Wheeeeeh I'm already tired.I had candle holders throughout the den and dining room filled with MnM's and dove peppermint chocolates.I made some divine cinnamon coated pecans that were in a green margarita glass.On glass Christmas trays, placed on my Hoosier Cabinet, I had fruit cake cookies, sand tarts, snowflake sugar cookies, iced and decorated with coconut, gingerbread boys, 2 types of chocolate chip cookies, mint and the yummy white chocolate-craisin ones. I had coconut macaroons on top of a pedestal cake plate and I had dipped some in chocolate.I can't wait to get the energy to get back in my studio and make cards !! I so wanted to take pictures before everyone arrived but I was runnin around like a chicken with my head cut off, taking care of last minute details!! I did manage to snap a few pictures during our brunch and wanted to share them with y'all.Some of you may notice my eclectic collections.I collect TOO many things, but some of my favorites you can get a glimpse of. Susan Winget is my favorite artist and those are her plates on the wall as well as the adorable Snowman cookie jar on the lil red cabinet in the corner . I found that cabinet in a thrift store, stripped it,stenciled it and painted it a barn red to match the hanging cabinet above it, a Christmas gift from Dan a few years ago.I tried to take some shots of my beloved angels !! I have so many angels, but my brass and copper ones are my favorite! I have been collecting them for so many years and each time I find more at a flea market or antique mall, I HAVE to buy them!! My only regret is that I didn't polish them this year.But with 26 angels and 6 brass trees...oh, I just didn't have the time or the energy! I have some of my favorite quilts scattered around as are my collection of Black Americana Mammies and oh I forgot my crows! The tree is adorned with a few of my vintage glass ornaments as well as some ornaments I have made thru the years.Some of the lil felt and paper mache snowmen are my favorites!I hope you enjoy sharing with me, my favorite time of the year! Merry Christmas to you all and I hope each of you have a blessed New Year!!! xoxoxoxoxo Joy

~~Swimmin Wimmin Brunch~~

Good morning y'all !!! I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew....I'm hosting a brunch next week for the swimmin wimmin and a few close friends!! We usually just invite each other to functions by word of mouth, but I wanted to make invitations for this. I used TBBM for the tags. I know they are 51/3 tall, but I played around with the width and I think it is 41/4.The polka dot tags are 1/4 smaller all the way around.I thought there was too much red and white so I printed off a few graphics from PCCrafters to make the lil round tags.They are 1" punched circles and a small MS scalloped circles behind them.I added the cording and a jingle bell to the hemp.Used some stickles and called them done! Here is the menu...so far. Quiche Lorraine, hash brown casserole,romaine salad with strawberries, walnuts ,golden raisins and a raspberry vinaigrette,sausage balls,cheese straws, blueberry, banana and lemon poppy seed muffins,Mimosas, hot apple cider, hot chocolate and an assortment of homemade cookies. Thanks for stoppin by and taking a peek!!! I sure wish all of you could join me next week!!

~~ A Gift for Deborah...just Bee cause ~~

Deborah is my mother's pastor and she makes all the bulletins for the Church each Sunday and does a wonderful job!! She adds layers of paper and cuts out images, all by hand.She really does a great job and I just love visiting Mother's church and having the opportunity to see Deborah's art.Well, I'm going to surprise Mother tomorrow( today is her birthday) and slip into church and slide in next to her on her favorite pew. I'm also going to surprise Deborah and give her my baby cricut !! I'm so excited ! I had my brother call Deborah under the guise of getting her opinion about a cartridge that I might like, pretending that he assumed she had a cricut, because of her beautiful bulletins.She said she didn't have one but would love to own a cricut, but that he could check at Michael's or Hobby Lobby.That was my way of making sure she hadn't gotten one yet, because we have discussed the lil bug on several of my visits to church.Some of you know that Dan lost his job in June, but we have been blessed in so many ways and since I got a new E last week, I knew what I wanted to do with my baby C. I'm going to give her my Don Juan cart too, cause I already had it, and it came with my G.Oh I can not wait to give her this lil gift.I know it's used but I know it will be loved and appreciated !!! I have forgotten to mention this card in all my excitement! Not the best card I have ever made, but lots of love went into it. I used the bee on the Cricut Sampler cart and used my nesties hearts , for the wings.I used the G font for the lettering.Added some puff fabric paint to all those lil dots on the paper and the wings, added buttons with hemp and there ya go...just bee cause !

~~ Happy Birthday Mother ~~

Good morning y'all !!!! Today is my Mother's 83rd Birthday !!! I already called her and sang her the birthday song...its a family tradition.That's my favorite part of growing older, I get to hear so many members of my family singing...to me! Since it's a grey and gloomy day here in Alabama...they had a light dusting of snow just to the west of us...I selected some bright and cheerful paper.Its Urban Prairie, by Basic Grey and I LOVE it ! I used the bird from the Gypsy Wanderings cart cut at 2", using shadow as well as the regular cut. I used this cart for the little sentiment piece too, cut at 1.25 I used the Serenade cart that came with my new E ( Yes I stood around at 4 Am, with all the other crazy folks at Walmart last week! ) to cut the fern looking thingys.They were cut at 2.25 .Used my nesties for the label under the bird.Did lots of inking and poppin, added some buttons from my vintage stash and hemp cording that I bought at Walmart.Thanks so much for stoppin by and taking a look....I'm headin to the kitchen for some hot cocoa ! mmmmm I hope y'all have a great weekend !!!

~~ Wishing Jimmie Gayle a puuurfect Birthday~~

Hi y'all....this is a card for another one of my "swimmin wimmin." Jimmie Gayle is the instructor and she is the cutest and sweetest lil southern belle that you would ever meet!! Shades of teal are one of her favorite colors and she has adopted 3 kittens and talks about them all the time, so I incorporated all of her favorites in this card.I used Celebrations for the cupcake and welded it with my G.It was cut at 51/2" .I used the scalloped circles from that cart as well as the kitty cat.Lots of inking, did some embossing, added the pearls, ribbon and button along with hemp cord.Oh, I used Gypsy Wanderings for the sentiment.Thanks for stopping by !!!!!

~~ Grateful ~~

Hi Y'all !!! I'm sure some of you know from stopping by , that Autumn is my favorite time of the year.The colors are so vibrant!!! Even as all the trees begin to die back, God has painted the falling leaves with a multitude of glorious colors !! And what better symbol of Autumn than the pumpkin, in all its shapes and sizes and colors!! I think I like pumpkins cause they are round, kinda like me : ) I used Gypsy Wanderings for this card, my 1st ever shaped card !! The pumpkin, the leaves and the lettering were all from this cart. I used Stretch your Imagination for the sunflower and the swirls and good ole George for the tag.Lots and lots of inking and layering, some popping and used a glitter mist all over.Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving!!!

~~Doggone Birthday~~

Dan couldn't have a birthday without a card from the fur babies.We have 3 critters, Buddy the mixed beagle that wandered up about 10 years ago. Sadie lived across the street and she was pretty neglected, always digging out and coming to out house, so she was eventually adopted.She is part jack Russell terrorist, part Rottweiler ( so she thinks !) and Tex.What can I say other than he was the back yard neighbors puppy and they never took care of him or paid him any attention. He was at our house all the time, but they refused to give him to us when they moved or even sell him to us. Dan was in a panic because we had both grown to love him. Dan traded a Remington shot gun for him.They took that...who wouldn't...it was a $500 gun!!! I tease Dan, that he got the bad end of that trade.He swears he didn't....he adores his babies.Anyway, enough of that. I used Celebrations for all the cuts on this card.Oops, not I didn't, I used PDDU for the bone.Did some inking and popping of course..added tons of glitter and the lil bow, in Sadie's hair. Thanks for taking a peek!!!

~~ Rustic Birthday card for Dan ~~

Dan LIVES for deer season to start....he is like a child waiting for Santa to arrive !!! I will be a widow, until January 31ST, the last day of deer season.I would post a picture of the the huge 7 point he killed Tuesday, with his Black Powder gun, but I don't want to creep y'all out!! So, his birthday is Monday and of course I had to make a card with a buck on it.I used Camp Out for the log cabin, trees, buck and moon. Gypsy Wanderings for the lettering and the hearts...the "smoke" coming from the chimney. I used a punch for those tiny lil stars.I also got out a lighter and scorched the edges of the background paper, to give it a more rustic look.Lots of inking and layering....those lil stars were a bugger to ink, but I did ! Added some distressing stickles here and there, lots of popping and added the dark brown hemp cord.Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek!! I hope Y'all have a great weekend !!!

~~Aunt Ruth A Vintage Fisherwoman~~

Hi Y'all....my dear Great Aunt Ruth is celebrating her 85Th birthday saturday and I had to make her a card!!!She has been an avid fisher woman all her life and her invitations even had fish on them.I'm so happy that Camp Out is in my library of carts, it was perfect for this card !I used Vintagerio once again for the vintage print, which I mounted onto mats ,made using nestabilities. I also used the textiles folder for embossing.I used Camp Out for the fly casting rod and the bass. Don Juan was used for the numbers.I painted Mod Podge over almost everything, along with some distressing stickles.Dan got me a hook out of a tackle box, I added the ribbon, button and a few pearls. and doodled with a gold gel pen.We are all animated folks and I know she is going to holla when she sees this card !! You were asked not to bring a present, but I am going to include an invitation for her to come to the lake, anytime she wants to, for a weekend of fishing.She will be in bass heaven !! Thank you all some much for stopping by and taking a peek!!!

~~Jolly Old St. Nick~~

Hi Y'all.....I think I can add Shabby, as a new addiction!! I'm having so much fun with the vintage graphics at Vintagerio !! I bought these cute Jenni Bowlin bingo cards a few months back and I knew I wanted to add, Old St. Nick to the Jolly card and then I found this adorable Santa and the match was made!I used my G to weld the words.My nesties and the scalloped circle on Gypsy Wanderings ,were used to make the mats and the small sentiment circle was in the Mistletoe paper pack from Making Memories.Did some inking and popping, added the ribbon and a few buttons and there he is...Jolly Old St. Nick !! Thank you so much for stopping by and taking a look!!!!

~~A Christmas Stocking~~

I have this thing for Christmas stockings !! Not only do I have our stockings hung on the mantle at Christmas, I have several more, hanging through out the house.I made this one using Doodlecharms...I think. I have it saved in my G, so I have forgotten.Cute it at 4", the lil ginger bread man at 1 1/2" and the package I played around with on my G and it is 11/2" tall and 1" wide.Lots of inking, popping,layering and the sentiment is computer generated.Added the Martha Stewart punch branches,buttons and ribbon.Bought the cute lil candy cane at M's. I hope y'all have a great week.....thanks so much for taking a peek !!!

~~ Vintage Christmas ~~

I am so in love with the shabby chic/vintage look !!! Here are 2 cards that I attempted to make in that style.I used graphics from Vintagerio,a few Cricut cuts for the holly leaves, cut at 3.5" and I fooled around with my G to make that whop sided frame around Santa..I need lots more practice !I used good ole George for the star and the Martha Stewart snow flake punch. Did lots of inking, a little stitching,some poppin, added buttons, pearls and tulle.I so enjoyed making these cards.I have been so involved with finishing several card orders, that I was thrilled to actually make a new card, rather than 18 of the same 2 designs !! Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek !!!!!!

~~ Back in the Swing of Things ~~

Good morning Y'all !!! It's a glorious day down here in Sweet Home Alabama !! I made this lil card for one of my swimmin wimmin, Frankie.She had a fall a few weeks back and hasn't been in the pool since.I used 50 States for the birds, Camp out for the branch and the I got the vintage image from,VICTORIAN VINTAGE IMAGES .The paper/card stock is Abbey Road from My Mind's Eye and I LOVE it ! The texture is amazing.Did some inking, popping, added some sparkling glitter, ribbon and a button.Of course I had to make it in a pedestal card, cause those lil wimmin think they are the best! Y'all have a great day and come back now...ya hea???

~~ Primitive Blessings ~~

I saw some prim greeting cards posted on Scrapbook.com and it made me want to create one of my own.And,Sandi from the Cricut MB made an Annie card so I kinda scrap lifted from both great cards !! Thanks Sandi for the inspiration!! I used Christmas Cheer for the stocking and George for the oval, for her face.I used coated wire for her hair.The snow flakes are a Martha Stewart punch.Added a circle sentiment that I created on my card making program, added some hearts, a bow and hemp. Thanks so much for looking at my Prim lil Annie !!!

~ Vintage Birthday~

One of my "swimmin wimmin" has a birthday next week, Ms. Betty and if I'm not mistaken, she will be 75....she is vintage. I used very little cricut as you can see, but I didn't want to take away from this lovely Cosmo Cricket paper, with too many images.I used Celebrations for the cupcake and the butterfly is a Martha Stewart punch.Zig zagged around a layer, did some inking, added the grosgrain ribbon and button, with hemp thru the button.Made it a pedestal card because that's what those sweet lil ole wimmin love! So there ya have it...I hope you enjoy it, as much as I enjoyed, watching it unfold!! Thanks for stoppin by!!!

~~Halloween...A Pig's Paradise~~

Dan's daughter Ann, just loves pigs so I had to make her a pig Halloween card.I ran out of my Black/orange Core'dinations paper so I used the pink core.Guess what...they don't make pink Halloween paper.Imagine that! The background paper, was computer generated. I used Paper Doll Dress Up for the witches hat, the trick or treat bag and the mask...I love the mask over her googly eyes! George for the star, which I added some pink ribbon and a button to, along with the hemp, thru the button.Used LOTS of pink stickles and pop dots and there you have it..one happy pig! Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!!!!

~~ The House ~~

Oh I had so much fun making this card !! I used Don Juan for the house, Paper Doll Dress Up for the bat , ghost and moon.Gypsy Wanderings for the pumpkins.Did LOTS of popping, some inking, added the ribbon and button along with some dew drops and used thin metal wire to suspend the moon and the bat.I'm going to send this to my son John Allen.I'm sure he doesn't remember our one and only trip together into a Haunted House, sponsored by the local Jaycees.He was old enough to walk and talk, but he wanted me to hold him and of course I did.That child of mine got so scared, I thought he would choke me to death and I was kinda scared myself and all I could do was laugh!!! He was screaming, get me outta here...I want my Mamma ( my Mother) The louder he screamed the more I laughed.I tried to pry him from around my neck so I could breath, but he was latched on . This lil card took me down memory lane....and that's a good thing! Thanks so much for taking a peek!

~~Let it Snow ~~

I'm not sure I really want it to snow...ever....us suthyn folks don't have a clue about driving in that stuff! But I saw a card in my CardMaker magazine and was inspired by it.The back ground paper was a gift form a sweet friend I met on the Cricut Message Board...thank you Jeannene!!I punched out many many snow flakes, using my Martha Stewart punch, some of them in vellum.Used the Gypsy font as well as the snow word, from Gypsy wanderings and welded them together.Use several different types of glitter on the snow flakes, did some inking and popping,added just a few pearls, that bring out the color in the back ground paper, I hope so anyway. Embossed the back ground paper with the snow flake folder( this ain't rocket science lol ) added the ribbon and button and now I'm looking at the skies....wheeeeh..No snow in sight !! Thanks for stopping by!!!

~~ Believe ~~

I know, that if you ~ believe ~ all things are possible. The power of positive thinking has gotten me through many stressful moments! I believe in Santa and presents too,hence this card.I used Christmas Noel for the tree and Celebrations for the gifts, and Gypsy Wanderings for the lettering.I did a lil stitching and popping and inking, added some ribbon and a star and now I'm patiently waiting for Santa !! Thanks for stopping by,it makes my day!!!

~ Trick or Treat Gift Boxes ~

These lil gift boxes are for my "swimmin wimmin" at the Y, where I take a water aerobics class.They love to see me coming during any kind of holiday cause I always make them a lil goodie bag of some sort.I'm sure I am repeating myself but I am the youngest chick in the class and the oldest is 85!! I used George for the stars and Christmas Cheer, I think, for the round scalloped tags. The sentiments are computer generated. Added some tulle and other ribbons, added some buttons that Jimmie Gayle was so generous to share with me and filled the boxes with candy. Trick or Treat....I've got them covered with something good to eat!Thanks so much for stopping by !!!

~ The Stockings were Hung ~

This is my 1st attempt at stitching on a card! Not too shabby, if I do say so myself.I used the Christmas Cheer cart for the stocking cut at 3.5", once on blackout and 1 regular cut, then 2 more times for the layers.Added some Martha Stewart punched leaves and a little punched star, did some inking and popping and added the ribbon with the button.Thanks so much for stopping by!!!!

~~BOO~~

I made this card for my great niece, Anna Kate and she is only 10 months old, so it couldn't be scary! I used Paper Doll Dress Up for the lil lamb and Black Magic Core'dinations paper too, with a purple core.Don Juan for the lettering as well as the Core'dinations paper and purple cut for the shadow.Added some lil colored dew drops,purple tulle and Glossy Accents.Tied some purple ribbon around her neck and added a lil bell. Also added the green rick rack for some added color.Thanks for stopping by !!!

~ With Sympathy~

I just hate having to make a sympathy card! I used this wonderful card stock for this one, its 29th Street Market, by My Mind's eye and I love it !! The texture is amazing! I used my nesties for the frame for the scripture and embossed the back ground paper with the Textures folder, from Cuttlebug.Used the Indie Art cart for the butterflies.Lots of inking and layering.Added the vintage lace and button and painted the butterflies with Glossy Accents.Thank so much for visiting my blog !!!

~Trick or Treat~

This card is for Rivers, my great nephew.He's 12 so I made him a kinda grown up card. You know how that age can be ! I found this vintage card online, downsized it ,inked and matted it.I used Animal Kingdom for the owl, cut several times.Added some stickles and black tulle and there you have it !! Thanks for stopping by!!!

~Don't get Caught in a Spider's Web~

This is a card for my great nephew, Walt.He is 10 and I hope this isn't too babyish.I used Stretch Your Imagination for the spider and the frame. Made a button, for the button , lots of inking, popping, used different colors of stickles , added some tulle and there ya go. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a look!!!

~~Don

~~Witching you a Jolly Halloween~~

I made this card for my great niece, Tyner Beth.Her favorite color ( this week anyway) is shades of aqua and I was tickled to find this K&Co. paper pack! Not much cricut, just the witches hat , from Paper Doll Dress up and the stars from George.I found this cute vintage card online, downsized it and added it along with a tulle bow. I'm lovin this tulle I have been adding to Halloween cards ! Added lots of bling too.What 8 year old doesn't love bling?!? Black magic Core'dinations paper was used too, embellished and sanded.I printed the inside sentiment on vellum and added black brads. Thanks so much for taking a look !!!

A Bushel of Thanks

Hi Y'all....I made this card for my parents.They were visiting my sister in Tn. last week and they love to go to Crows Mountain, on the way home and get apples.They drove over Sunday and brought Dan and I 1/2 peck of apples and 2 gallons of the BEST apple cider I have ever tasted. I'm sippin some right now.I made them this lil thank you card using Doodlecharms for the basket and apples, My Community for the tree , Paper Doll Dress Up for the grass and good ole George for the tag.This card was designed and cut using my G.Lots of inking, popping and layering.Added the twine and vintage button.The paper is Grandmas Kitchen from WeRMemory Keepers and I bought it at Michael's.Both my parents LOVE these lil pedestal cards, so I gave 'em what they like! Thanks so much for taking a look!!!! Your sweet comments keep me inspired!!

Thank you for your Hospitality

I made this card for a sweet, special lady that I met on the Cricut message board, Jeannene.She lives about 75 miles from me and she was sweet enough to invite me to come and play in her wonderful craft room and to spend the night. This card is my way of thanking her for her hospitality, her generosity and her friendship.She has a beautiful fur baby, named Savannah and I had to include her in the card. I used Don Juan for the house as well as the letters and the kitty was cut from My Community.The flowers were from Gypsy Wanderings.Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek!!!!

Remarks from Win A Free Card Give Away Winners

I received my cards today, Thank You so much!! They are amazing! How did you get the squash to pop up in the middle? It looks like you put a pop dot under the center and glued the edges. What color ink did you use on the edges? Is the envelope hand made or puchased? I sound like a two year old with all the questions don't I! LOL I wish I had an embossing machine to get the dimension on the paper, that's great! Which one would you reccomend? I've been thinking of the electronic Big Shot since my hands swell and ache alot I thought it would be easier than the crank. Have you seen the Xyron Creatopia yet? What kind of pen did you use to make the dots on the "bee" card?Thanks again my friend, Carol ;)

Joy--I was lucky enough to win the cards on Jeannie's blog and I received your card this morning. I want to tell you, the picture doesn't do it justice! It is absolutely beautiful!!! I will have a hard time using it; but when I do, I will be giving it to someone who will truly appreciate it.Thank you, thank you, thank you!I hope someday to be able to make cards like this.Connie Fisher

Hi Joy,
OMG, I received your card today & I LOVE it. I really appreciate all the hard work you put into this card. I promise I will give it to someone special. Thank you so much. I hope you have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Sherry Miller





Hello Joy, I received your card in the mail yesterday...WOW!!! I am so excited that I won one of your cards, I have it in my hutch and have been studying it...cannot get enough of all the detail in this card. Thank you so much! I will treasure it always! Carol<><

Just a Note

I'm so excited..this is my 1st card made with the G !! I actually welded letters !!! lol I was so excited to be creating and cutting that I have forgotten everything about this card! Ok..let me think, I used Home Accents for the bird, cut at 2.75 inches, numerous times...the Just a Note was welded using the new G font. I love this lil bird paper with the notes on it, so I knew I had to add musical notes and they were cut at 1". Lots of inking, popping,a lil dodlin, added the ribbon and vintage button and I held my breath ....ALOT.Thanks so much for looking..have a great weekend, Y'all!!

My Baby is Having a Birthday!

And that means I am getting older too!! John Allen loves to play Texas Hold 'um and when I saw this paper, I knew I had to make his card with this paper.I used Indie Art for all the symbols in a deck of cards....cut at 1 1/2' 2 times on shadow and then once on regular to get that fancy smancy top layer.I wanted to use real playing cards on this, but they were too big so I found some graphics online and copied them, resized them,inked and matted them.I love this ribbon I used....I think its fine, for a masculine card. The circle sentiment, was computer generated using , my Greeting Card Factory Photo Card Maker program.I added some brads and there you have it! Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek!!

~~Reindeer Snow Globe~~

I have been wanting to make a snow globe for weeks now and finally made one that I like ! I used Christmas Noel for the reindeer , the bow and the snowflakes in the globe, MS for the larger one on the sentiment and Doodlecharms for the globe.The globe was cut at 41/2", so this card is a little wider than usual.The reindeer was cut at 3", the gold on shadow and the brown on regular function and the bow at 2".The snowflakes were cut at various sizes.I tried popping everything in the globe, but that didn't work and I was having a redheaded fit cause I LOVE to use pop dots! AND I didn't ink anything, so I was having bad withdrawals! I used Kingthings Christmas for the font and I think it goes perfectly with the snowflakes! Gallery Glass for the globe, the beautiful gold embossed paper I got at M's as well as the ribbon.Did some embossing and added the tiny gold beads,and used my nesties for the sentiment card. Thanks so much for taking a peek!!!