Turning Seven

Hello!  Today is my son's 7th birthday!  Seven!  I can't even.  Since his birthday fell on a weekend this year I was able to host his party on his actual birthday.  We went to a local movie theater to see The Secret Life of Pets (SO cute, by the way)!  Since the release of Pokemon Go! the card game and related merchandise seems to be making a comeback.  Kayne has been into collecting the cards since Summer started so I thought that would be a fun birthday theme.  Well, let me tell you, I'm glad I shopped early because party stuff was not as easy to find as one might think!  And then there was the matter of his card....  Mayzy Art came to the rescue with this adorable Birthday Pikachu image!  One night on Facebook she happened to be doodling Pokemon characters and asked what people's favorites were.  I responded and before I knew it this cutie was emailed out as a freebie to her newsletter subscribers!  Big hearts, Mayzy!  Big hearts!

He is colored with Copics and cut and matted with Classic Circles Nestabilities (Spellbinders).  I made the Pokeball using them as well (except for the smallest little circle which is from a punch).  The arrow is from La-La-Land Crafts.  The Smart Phone and Fishtail Flags Stax Die-namics are from My Favorite Things.  I generated the sentiment on the compter and printed it out.  The photo corner (Cuttlebug) and heart (Whimsey Stamps) are also dies. 

The party was a success and my little guy declared this the best birthday ever!  Smiles for days!

Now momma is exhausted and off to bed!  Thanks for stopping in and have a wonderful night!

 {hugs}
Regan

A Joint Venture

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there, especially mine!  As usual, I waited until the last minute to make a card for the occasion.  As I rushed around today wondering how I was going to get everything done before we left for the family cookout at my brother's, Kayne offered me the perfect solution: "Mom.  Can I color the picture for Papa's card?"  What could be more special than something colored by your grandson and crafted into a card by your daughter, right?  So we created together and I love the result!

Kayne picked the image from among some Saturated Canary digis I had printed for him to color.  He selected Joey.  I don't think my dad is particularly fond of soccer, but it was the little man's choice and we went with it!  He used his Crayola markers and crayons to color him.  (He asked to use my Copics but mommy said "no"!  Lol)  I thought he did an awesome job!

I designed the rest of the card, with a little help from Kayne.  He wanted me to use the alphabet dies (My Favorite Things) to spell out "Papa" which is what he calls my dad.  I cut the image using Labels Eight Nestabilities (Spellbinders).  I also used a few other dies: Stars Five Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Star Cluster (Tim Holtz for Sizzix); and Lattice Doily Border, Heart Banner, and Ric Rack (La-La-Land Crafts).  The sentiment is from Stampin' Up and is cut with Fishtail Flags Stax Die-namics (My Favorite Things).

We had a wonderful day with my family and my dad loved his card.  I think maybe I should be collaborating with my budding artist more often!

{hugs}
Regan    

World's Cutest Leprechaun

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Everyone is a little Irish today and in this house it's an extra special day because it's Kayne's Half Birthday!  I know that's not a real "thing" but we've been celebrating it every year and why not?  Life is too short not to have all the fun you can!  So for the occasion, I whipped up some rainbow cupcakes and a leprechaun card!  We also had a visit from a real leprechaun overnight too...  He left us Rolo filled pots of "gold"!

The image is called Leprechaun and is from Mo's Digital Pencil.  I shouldn't try to color when I am stressed, tired, or otherwise preoccupied because I screw things up that way!  Lol  I missed a shoe buckle and I mistook his ears for hair!  Oops!  Luckily, the small man is a wee bit less critical than I am!  The image is colored with Copics and cut using the Labels Sixteen Nestabilities (Spellbinders).  The heart banner is La-La-Land Crafts.  I created a rainbow out of strips of colored card stock.  The shamrock paper is from Recollections.  I added a pin and a Tim Holtz metal buckle as finishing touches.  The sketch is Mojo Monday (#389) which I flipped upside down.

Here is my little leprechaun:

Copics used: E00, E04, E11, E17, E19, E21, R20, Y28, N0, N2, N4, N6, N8, G03, G05, G07, G94, G99
 
Challenges:
- Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge: #249-Anything Goes with Optional Theme: Green
- Try It On Tuesday: Hats
- Get Creative Challenge: #10-Green
- The Pink Elephant Card Challenge: #290-Pinch Me (use green)
- Lacy Sunshine: #54-Go Green
- Opus Gluei: #204-St. Patrick's Day
- Cupcake Inspirations: #301-Lucky

- My Sheri Crafts: #152-St. Patrick's Day

- Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers: #29-"L" is for Leprechaun

 

{hugs}
Regan

Holy Smokes, Batman! Look Who's 5!

At 8:09am five years ago today, my life changed forever and I became a mom.  I have watched him grow and change and today, as we rush off to school at that same exact time, I can't help but think about how fast time goes by.  When did my small man get so big?!?!

I wanted to share the birthday card I made for him.  I always ask him what he would like on his card.  This year the answer was Batman.  I was a little sad it wasn't Star Wars as that is the theme of his presents and cake (also by his request), but it's his birthday so Batman it is!  I colored up Teen Scene Goes Hollywood Christian the Dark Hero from Simply B Stamps for the occasion.  He is colored with Copics, fussy cut, popped up on foam squares, and layered on top of a Classic Ovals Nestabilities from Spellbinders.  Papers are Recollections - Comic Hero.  The sketch is courtesy of Digi Sketch Challenge.   They have an optional theme as well but I didn't follow that this time.  I used a Martha Stewart bat border punch as well as the city skyline Die-namics from My Favorite Things.  I added a sentiment on their Fishtail Flags Stax Die-namics.  The "5" is a glitter chipboard number sticker from my stash.

We have a big evening planned with a birthday trip to Chuck E Cheese.  (I'm a firm believer that birthdays are super special and should be celebrated to their full potential!)  Happy 5th Birthday, Kayne!  Momma loves you to the forest moon of Endor and to Gotham City and back, buddy!

Markers used: Copics (E00, E04, E11, E21, YG93, N0, N2, N4, N6, N8, Y35, B32, B34, B37).

Challenges:
- Cuttlebug Mania: Anything Die Cut
- Top Tip Tuesday: Kids (My tip: when designing my cards I lay everything out on the card first, as a "mock up", before I use any adhesive.  This way I can change anything that doesn't look quite right.)
- Crafts Galore Encore: #9-Make A Card 

{hugs}
Regan           

My Boy

Hello!  Another week is kicking off here now, but I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend!  We had a wonderful one full of family and celebrating my dad for Father's Day.  I used my custom image from Saturated Canary to make a card for him.  This is My Boy and Krista drew it for me as a prize from a contest she had a while back.  She captured my small man to a "T", right down to his favorite blankie and Teddy!  I colored the image with Copics and then cut it using Labels Seventeen Nestabilities (Spellbinders) and added some Shabby Blue Frantage.  I used one of the Fancy Tags dies (Spellbinders) behind the image.  Papers are My  Mind's Eye - Lost & Found: Portobello Road.  The current Sweet Sketch Wednesday (HERE) is my base and I added a few elements like the Flag Banner from La-La-Land Crafts and the sentiment from a Cornish Heritage Farms Mona Lisa Moments Father's Day Centers set that was in my physical stamps stash.  I finished up with gold metal brads from Tim Holtz and a length of blue gingham ribbon.   

And, here is the inspiration for the image:

 

 We took my dad out to breakfast with one of my brothers (who actually paid for us all!  Thanks, Jay!) and then spent the rest of the day at my parents'.  Kayne made his papa a special gift and I snapped a photo of the two of them.  He painted the rock himself and was very proud of his handiwork.  The gift was a big hit!

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful dad and it makes me so happy to see the great memories he's building with the next generation too!  Thanks for stopping by and check back for another Father' day card to be blogged before the week is out.

Markers used: Copics (E00, E04, E11, E21, E23, E25, E31, E39, E79, N0, N2, N4, N6, R20, R32, R35, Y61, B00, B32, N34, B37, BV000, BV02, BV13).

Challenges:
- Bearly Mine Challenges: One For The Boys
- Digi Galore: Nautical or Blue
- Creative Corner Challenge: Just For Boys 
- Jo's Scrap Shack: #54-I Love You Dad
- Pattie's Creations: #94-Father's Day or Wedding
- Crafty Ribbons Challenge: #93-Anything Goes with Ribbon 
- Milk Coffee Challenges: For a Dad/Special Male

{hugs)
Regan

HB2U

Hi there!  I had seven cards that I wanted to get done this weekend and so far this is the only one I've managed to accomplish!  I had a full day of apple picking and Fall fun yesterday and today is a family dinner so...  We shall see.  But I did want to share this Kenny K creation with you at least.  They are having a Facebook challenge right now where they want you to show off your Kenny K style.  You can "like" their page HERE.  

I love the images, from sexy to cute, and use them all, but for this birthday card I went cute with Texting Diva.  She is colored with Copics and cut using the Spellbinders Deckled Rectangles dies.  I used two other dies: Classic Circles, also from Spellbinders, and Fishtail Flags Stax Die-namics from My Favorite Things.  The sentiment was also made using a MFT product- a stamp set called Let's Chat.  Papers are Follow Your Heart - Be Amazing from My Mind's Eye.  A Martha Stewart border punch and some flowers and bling from my stash finish off the project.  The sketch is a fun one from The Sketchy Challenges (#56).

  
Hopefully I can squeeze in some crafting time before we head out for the day and then again this evening.  *sigh* So many digis, so little time!  lol  Have a fabulous day where you are!  Fall has officially begun here, and we kicked it off right with a trip to the orchard yesterday!  Can you say caramel apple, apple cider doughnut, and pumpkin ice cream?  YUM!  Not to mention the apples we picked and a couple of small pumpkins to take home too!

Thanks for stopping by!

Markers used: Copics (E00, E02, E11, E23, E25, YR00, YR02, R39, N0, N2, N4, N6, N8).

Challenges:
- Sister Act Card Challenge: #25-Anything Goes 
- Totally Papercrafts: #185-Happy Birthday Baby 
- Happy Campers Craft Collective: #22-Show Us Your Flowers 
- Scrapper's Delights Challenges: #7-Birthday 
- Through the Craft Room Door: Anything Goes
- Love To Scrap: #14-Run for the Border 

{hugs}
Regan

Zombie Apocalypse

When I asked Kayne what he wanted on his birthday card this year without a moment's hesitation he replied, "A zombie, Momma!"  Well, of course!  Who doesn't want zombies on their birthday?  I hear the walking dead can really party!  (He is SO my kid, by the way!)  But it's a sign that he's growing up.  Zombies and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have replaced the monster under the bed and Little People.  He's four today.  FOUR!  How did THAT happen?  But as nostalgic as the baby photos make me, and though sometimes I still wish time could stand still (or at least slooooow down), I am so lucky to be able to watch him grow and change.  He is so much FUN right now!  We can go places and do things and have adventures!  I treasure all that and I hope he knows how very much I love being his mom... how very much I love him!

I decided to color up Zombie Philly from Saturated Canary for his card.  Krista's cute image was perfect for the occasion!  I used my Copics, adding a bit of glaze pen to his eyes, then fussy cut him.  The papers are Wicked from My Mind's Eye and even though it's a Halloween pad, I still found a few sheets that worked well for both zombie AND birthday.  The sketch is the current Sketch Saturday (#276).  I used a couple of dies: the Labels Ten Spellbinders Nestabilities and Fishtail Flags Stax Die-namics as well my Martha Stewart Drippy Goo border punch (one of my faves!).  The only embellishments I added were the American Crafts chipboard glitter number sticker and a couple of black pearls.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up.

 I was up way past my bedtime again- wrapping gifts, putting the finishing touches on Minion cupcakes, and thinking about how excited he was when he went to bed for it to be "tomorrow".  As we get older we forget how magical birthdays are and I am glad that I have an adorable, sweet, and just plain awesome reminder of just how special, precious, and amazing life is!  Happy 4th Birthday, buddy!  I love you!  More than zombies love brains.

Markers used: Copics (YG11, YG13, YG91, YG93, YG95, E23, E31, E33, E34, YR00, YR02, YR04, Y32, Y35, Y38, N0, N2, N4, N6, N8).

Challenges:
- The Cutie Pie Challenge: #53-Cute One for the Boys 
- Haunted Design House: #176-Who Are You Supposed To Be? 
- Whoopsi Daisy Challenge: Use More Than 2 Patterned Papers  

{hugs}
Regan

SMASHing with Mojo Monday

Hi again!  This is my second post today so if you are looking for The Corrosive Challenge one, keep scrolling.  I happened to notice that Mojo Monday is celebrating their 300th sketch and are giving away all sorts of amazing prizes!  I love their sketches, even if I don't always get to play along, but didn't want to miss out on this milestone!  I really didn't have a card in mind for it so I decided to do my May planner page.  It features Kayne, of course,  In his cute "I Dig Mom" shirt that he wore on Mother's Day.  Papers are scraps from my stash (Basic Grey - Lime Rickey and My Mind's Eye - Happy Day).  I used my My Favorite Things Fishtail Banners Die-namics along with two Nestabilities from Spellbinders (Classic Circles and Stars Five).  The chipboard numbers are American Crafts Thickers.

We had a fun day today and a little bit of "just because" crafting was the icing on the cake.  We slept in and then spent the afternoon at the lake by our house before the thunderstorms rolled in.  It was such a quintessentially Summer day, and I enjoyed every moment of it with him!  I mean, who doesn't enjoy building a sand kingdom and splashing in the lake?!

Now I'm off to curl up on the couch in air conditioned comfort to read my book.  The perfect ending to a lazy Summer day!  I hope yours was as relaxing as ours!  Thanks for taking a peek at my page and hope you'll visit again soon!

{hugs}
Regan
  

All Father

Happy Monday!  I wanted to share the last of my Simply B(etty) Stamps Teen Scene Norse Gods cards with you today!  I know he was previewed and released on Friday, but he wasn't quite ready by post time.  My dad celebrated his birthday on Friday so I made a card for him using Chris Odin.  Odin is the All-Father in Norse mythology and is associated with war, battle, victory, and death as well as wisdom, magic, poetry, prophecy, and the hunt.

I colored my image with Copics and Prismacolor Art Markers.  I then fussy cut him and used foam squares to pop him up.  The sketch is from Sassy Studio Designs (DTBST #150).  I opted to leave off the banner sentiment on the front as I didn't want to obstruct the image in any way.  Papers are from my stash and I can't recall who makes them.  I added black pearls and black organdy ribbon.  The die cut is the Labels Ten Nestabilities from Spellbinders and it is embossed with a fleur de Lis Cuttlebug folder.  The sentiment on the inside is also from Simply Betty Stamps and was created especially to coordinate with the Norse Gods collection.

 I'd also like to share the card my son made for his Papa.  Now there is a little back story that needs to be told here...  My dad loves old movies.  Watching movies together has always been our thing.  He was the only family member who would watch horror movies with me when I was a teenager.  And when I was young we used to watch Abbott & Costello movies together.  Among my favorites were the "scary" ones- Meets Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolfman; Meets the Mummy; Meets the Invisible Man; Meets Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, etc.  A few years back we gave him a box set collection of the movies on DVD.  This year we started watching them with Kayne.  And he LOVES them!  He's only 3, but he's an Abbott & Costello fan!  Every time we go to my parents' house he asks to watch one!  So when I asked him what he wanted to out on his grandfather's birthday card, he had me look through my collection of images for Mr. Hyde (I don't have one!), a mummy (too scary, he said), Dracula (same thing), the Wolfman (also too scary) and then Frankenstein.  He finally settled on Mayzy Art's Halloween Frankenstein.  I printed him out and let my small man color him up.  With Kayne's input as to paper and embellishment choices, we finished an amazing card that his Papa adored!  Here it is:

Kayne was so proud of his creation that he wanted to keep it!  lol  I told him we would color another one for him.Here's a couple of photos of Kayne working on his Papa's card.

And this is them with my parent's new black lab puppy, Finn McCool (Finn for short).

Sorry for the quality... They were taken with my phone.  Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a marvelous day!

Markers used on Odin: Copics (E11, E21, E00, R20, Y32, Y35, E23, E37, E79, W4, W6, W8, W10, 100) and Prismacolor Art Markers (149, 209).

{hugs}
Regan