Hope House Home for Boys

The cards that I sell here in Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico benefit the dental program for the boys at Hope House in the nearby village of Ixlahuacan. There are close to 30 boys at the home and many of them come to the home having received no dental treatment. If you live here at Lakeside and would like to order a quality, hand crafted card for a special occasion and help me contribute to this worthy cause, please e-mail me at bettyinchapala@yahoo.com Card price is 50 pesos; the entire sales price is donated to Hope House.

Followers -- Some of my favorite people!

Monday, May 31, 2010

Missing You


Hoping you all had a wonderful and safe holiday weekend. I've gotta say it, I love this card! Can't you just hear the howling?????
Vicki, here is my silhouette card for Speedy's Friends Challenge at Mark's Finest Papers. It is also Carla Suto's first color challenge at stampTV; chocolate, green and ivory. Sentiment is computer generated, paired with Nestabilities Ribbon Tags Trios and Stampin' Up Silhouettes of Nature.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Inchie Sketch


Hello all! I've been pretty bummed out by the prednisone I've been taking for my asthma flare up but did make a card this evening. It is sweet and simple, quick and easy! I used a sketch from the inchie inklings at Ellen Hutson's website. I also wanted to enter this in the Just Us Girls challenge to use dry embossing. I embossed the ivory panel with a Sizzix embossing folder and sponged on a little Close to Cocoa. It looks a little messy on the photo but accents the embossing slightly and helps it to stand out. DP is Basic Grey Origins; stamps from Inkadinkadoo and Stampin' Up.

Betty

Roses Challenge


I have two projects to post today for the Roses' Challenge. The Roses is a small group of us who met at stampTV and began chatting frequently. We've been doing a monthly challenge the past few months and Connie was the hostess for May. She wanted to see cards with flowers! Since her birthday is in May, I made this card with the yellow roses earlier in the month to send off to her in Canada. This is one of the first stamps that I ever bought and I still think it's a pretty special one. A great way to send our "Birthday Rose" some flowers!


My next project was completed just a few days ago. I like to buy art at home & decor places when they have it on sale and then replace their art with my own. I made the large flower from a tutorial I found here at Arielle's blog. She had decorated a frame with the flower and inspired me to do the same. The image of my piece was cased from Cathy/Catdidit at stampTV. She made this lovely card which I printed out and used to make a template for the stitched flower stem and leaves. Thanks, Cat, couldn't have done it without you!! That little embellie in the center of the flower is from Spare Parts "Antique Flowers, Large"; I snagged them on sale at Hobby Lobby. Hope you enjoyed this "flowery" post as much as I enjoyed the creation process of the projects!

Betty

Friday, May 28, 2010

Thinking of Annabelle Stamps!


Hope you enjoy this clean and simple card for Annabelle Stamps' Sketch Challenge.Here's a picture of the sketch. Why don't you have some fun and join in this challenge along with me?!

Stampin Up cardstock, Rose Red, Green Galore and Pale Plum. Ribbon is from Gina K. Designs and the decorative portion of my image is from Pam Lefors Designs. Check out her "edgies". Sentiment is Stampin' Up, Sincere Salutations. This card will be going into my stash for Operation Write Home.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Tissue Flowers


Hello to all! This card will be entered into the following challenges:
Creative Clear Stamps Sketch Challenge (CVSC9)
Prairie Fairy Friday (use flowers)-- oops! I missed out on the deadline!
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday (make your own flowers)

This is the sketch from Creative Clear Stamps. I took a bit of liberty with the top circles -- made my much larger by using the tissue flowers that I made in this position. I also used some flower embellies that my online friend Connie sent to me recently -- thanks, Connie, they matched my project perfectly!! I used three punches (Stampin' Up small oval and Martha Stewart Tulip Garden and I don't know the name of the little "fern-y looking" punch, but it is from Martha Stewart. My stamped sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's set, Everyday Button Bits. And I love these little pink pearls -- they are so soft-looking!

Hope you'll come back to visit again!
Betty

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Thinking of You


Operation Write Home Stars and Stamps Sketch #18 inspired this card. Got to looking for a color combo and found an interesting one at Curtain Call #31. Colors are Almost Amethyst, Pretty in Pink, Night of Navy, Garden Green and Whisper White (Stampin' Up). I embossed the lower portion of the card base with Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots embossing folder; the patterned paper is from the Junebug Paper Pad (Basic Grey). Stamps are from Stampin' Up Thoughts and Prayers. This card will be going in my next batch of cards for Operation Write Home.

On another note, I've seen two very new fawns in our neighborhood and this afternoon three extremely pregnant does came to vist our backyard. I was able to get this picture. Momma doe's head is almost hidden by the foliage but look at that tummy!! It can't be much longer before she has a new little one! I just never get tired of seeing these creatures -- love 'em!

Love all of you too, for stopping by my little ole blog -- hope you'll come again!
Betty

Friday, May 21, 2010

Frogs for Jayme


This is a card that I have made for Jayme, who is Lisa Cook's sister and a frog collector. She has a terminal illness and Lisa is hoping that we can help give Jayme a smile or two during this terribly difficult time. Get more details on Lisa's blog. My card is made with images from GTC Crafty's Corner and Amerigo Mundy. Let's get those frogs hopping on over to Jayme's house!!

Betty

Monday, May 17, 2010

Off the Wall Craftiness


I want to thank my friends Mary Anne and Dee Marie for directing me to the Off the Wall Craftiness challenge site. This is my card that includes a bird and the pastel-y colors of the inspiration card.

Stamps are Martha Stewart Leaf and Branch and Stampabilities Botanicals & Birds. I stamped the branch and bird on very vanilla card stock then decided I would cut it out to put on the card; BUT --- ended up mounting it on vanilla card stock cut out with Nestabilities Labels Eleven. Oh well, at least I got some practice cutting out skinny little bird legs!!!!

Later, my friends,
Betty

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Butterfly Hi!


The color challenge that I used for this card is from Embellish Magazine. Colors specified by the challenge are Sea Foam, Dark Brown, Yellow Green and Terra Cotta. The card is to have some dimension so the sentiment is popped up with a mounting pad. The sketch is from AnnaBelle Stamps. Butterfly stamp is Stampin'Up, God's Beauty. The sentiment (which is a little hard to see) is the Hi stamp from Say It With Scallops; I used a circle punch to cut it out so it is "sans scallops"!

Have a great week all,
Betty

Moxie Fab Inchies


After reading more thoroughly over at the Tuesday Trigger at Moxie Fab I think I got the colors wrong on this card -- should have been pink and blue but they looked more groovy guava and tempting turquoise to me! Anyhoo -- this is my card and that's the way it is!! It's hard to tell but the inchies are popped up on the turquoise panel; so is the sentiment and the turquoise frame. Stamps are Inkadinkado Flourishes, flower is Studio G and corner flourish is Stampin' Up's Doodle This. I picked up the inchie sketch at Ellen Hutson's Inchie Inklings with Lisa. First time I've been there; this is challenge 6 and 1-5 are great sketches too! Check it out if you like inchies!

Betty

TMITA CAS with Sue


Sue Walsh, designer for There's Magic in the Air, has challenged us to make a Clean and Simple card with this free image from Nina May. I have used the sketch from OWH Stars and Stamps Challenge 16. Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Betty

Friday, May 14, 2010

Flowers at the Front Door


Hoping I can get this post done before my internet goes down. Looks like we're going to have a thunderstorm here. This picture is a calendar print from a couple of years ago -- I never can throw them away! The challenge over at Flourishes is to "Picture It" -- to incorporate a picture (one of your photos, a magazine photo, etc.) into your card in some creative way. Mine is not terribly "creative" but if you click on the link, you can see some really interesting takes on the challenge! I've used the sketch from Midnight Madness and the color combo is from City Crafter (pinks, white and green). Thanks for stopping by to see me!

Betty

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Black, White & Gray


I have pretty card for you today, at least I hope you think it is! The color challenge is from Tina Gilliland at stampTV to use black, white, and gray. The sketch challenge is from Creative Clear Stamps; I rotated it a bit. I printed the Digi-Sparkle stamps on dp and cut them out. Wish I could fit into this dress -- the black and white paper reminds me of a batik skirt I used to have back when I was about the right size to wear this dress! You can see I've used the trusted Swiss Dots embossing folder again to go along with the polka dot dress and the sentiments are computer generated.

See you later,
Betty

A Manly Card


Here's my idea of a manly card to celebrate not only Father's Day but also to celebrate Flourishes May release of new stamp sets! I used Nestabilities and a Sizzix Embossing Folder to dress up the card stock (Bordering Blue and Close to Cocoa from Stampin' Up) then stamped the grandfather clock from Gina K. Designs, "Special Fathers", Nina Brackett, illustrator. Stamped it twice; once to color and another on gold paper to cut out for the face of the clock and the pendulum and weights. That's stretchy gold cord around the ovals and now it's time to ..... Say Goodbye!

Betty

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Botanical Sketch Challenge(s)


I really like the colors in this card; I think they are so soothing! The sketch is from Vicki Dutcher at stampTV, and I have used a botanical stamp which was the challenge at StampinB's. The leaves are from a Martha Stewart stamp set and the dragonfly is from Stampabilities. I purchased the ribbon and light purple pearls at Michael's; the dp is unmarked. Hope you enjoyed this little "bit of nature"!

Betty

Monday, May 10, 2010

Two Projects to Share


Today is the last day for the Three Cheers for Chairs Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. This chair is a free digi image from Bird's Cards and was printed on "leather-like" paper and cut out; after coloring the wood portion, I popped the leather chair seat back on. I also punched several little circles for the "tufted buttons" and adhered them onto the back of the chair. The sentiment reads "Rest, Relax, Recover"; "Hope You're Feeling Better Soon!" and was computer generated.

My next project is a Matchbook Cover for a small gift. Karen threw out this challenge over at stampTV on the Anything But a Card challenge. I had a bit of trouble with the measurements but finally got things to work and was very pleased with the outcome. It's a perfect little gift holder! Don't you just adore this ribbon that I picked up on sale at Michael's?

Hope you enjoyed these and are having a lovely day!
Betty

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Three Challenges


This is my second post today -- please scroll down and see my first -- I'm especially proud of it!

I made this card for the following challenges:
Color Challenge at StampTV - Turquoise and Pink
Sketch from The Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge
Speedy's Friends Challenge to use a corner punch

My stamp is from Inkadinkado; love these flowery, flourishy images! My corner punch and border punch are a set from Martha Stewart and ribbon is from Michael's.

Bye for now,
Betty

Flowers for Me!


Hi friends! I received the sweetest surprize today! DH and I took his mom out to eat today and when we returned home I found a vase of lilies just for me! Aren't these the neatest flowers you've ever seen. Three of the "lily blooms" are my grandson's hands and three belong to my granddaughter! I am deathly allergic to real lilies but I don't have to worry a bit about these -- just enjoy them and think happy thoughts of the ones who made them! The only thing better would have been if I had been here when the flower delivery arrived!

Happy Mother's Day Everyone!
Betty

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Congratulations Graduate!


Thanks to Vicki Dutcher who posted a graduation card on her blog today and to the ladies at Just Us Girls who threw out a Technique Challenge to make a pocket card, I have made a card for my husband's oldest grandson, who is graduating from high school this month. I recycled his graduation invitation to make the card. Be sure to check out Vicki's card and see the happy little surprise inside!

Betty

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Opposites Attract


I've made this card to send to Operation Write Home. I can just see some soldier who is married to his/her "opposite" and just has to send them this card to say I love you! I have used ColorQ's challenge 31 for the color combo. There is a twist to their color challenge this week though -- you have to enlist a buddy to play along with you. Terri Early at ...Just What I Do... invited me to be her partner for this challenge and I glady accepted. The prize is a pack of Stampin' Up designer paper and if either one of your names are drawn, the other will receive the same prize! Doesn't that sound like fun?! Now, here's the beautiful card that Terri created.

Aren't these flowers just the best? The colors of her card are so bright and beautiful; and take a look at her bow -- I love it!
The deadline for this challenge is Sunday, May 9, noon CST. So, grab yourself a buddy and enter!

Edited Sunday, May 9 -- I realized that I did not mention that this card also qualifies for the challenge at MelJens Designs to make a card or project with sea creatures. Check out the link for their challenge!

Betty

Hi There Ladybug!


Here's another card I've made for Operation Write Home. Gina K. has an Inspire Challenge at stampTV to use flowers and the sketch I've used is a challenge from MyGrafico.
Stamps: Gina K. Design Spring Mix and Year of Flowers
card stock:Stampin' Up Basic Black, Garden Green, Ruby Red, Bashful Blue (Unknown dp)
Ink: SU Ruby Red, Garden Green and Basic Black.
Ladybugs are stamped on SU twill; pleated with tacky glue.
I am so enjoying the new stampTV kit, Spring Mix. Two of the most beautiful flower stamps are included, plus so much more! Stamps, card stock, designer paper, ribbons, brads, and easy set eyelets. Fabulous kit!
Weekend's coming up!
Betty

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Some Grandkid Time!





I spent the night with my daughter's family last night; my grandson Ashton, invited me! We had lots of fun together and Brianna even let me wear her tiara!! Hope all of you have a wonderful day of blessings, whether they be small or large!

Betty

Monday, May 3, 2010

Deer and a Card


Just wanted to show y'all the scene I saw out of my bathroom window this morning. Aren't they beautiful -- I'll never get tired of seeing them! (Disregard that rectangular looking thing in the foreground -- it's a thermometer that's stuck on the window!)


I am posting this card to enter in the challenge at The Cat's Pajamas. They wanted us to use the colors turquoise, red and ivory. I used a stamp by Stamping' Up, did some watercolor painting with Twinkling H2Os, and dug a button out of my collection. This was the first card I've made in this style and I see where I can do better. Will have to give it another try.

My Mother's Day easel cards went with my DH to his office today -- 7 out of 8 sold, and I got an order for 3 more! How much fun is that? Some of you may know all about selling cards, but I have to give most of mine away!!! LOL

See you all tomorrow,
Betty

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Addictive????


Who said Easel Cards are addictive???? Surely it is not so; I don't believe that at all!!!! These are a few of the easel cards I've made for my DH to take to his office next week. Sure hoping that a few people might need a Mother's Day card! I'll let you know if I have any luck.

Now, on to a sweeter note -- BLOG CANDY!

As a thank you to those who have supported both The Stamp Spot and Mad for Markers since their beginning, and to welcome new readers, customers and fans …. They are offering a joint blog candy give away!!

It’s over $100 worth of goodies.
Click on the links to find out more. Good Luck!
Here and here are the links.

Later, Betty

Roses' Challenge


My second post today showcases my card for The Roses' Monthly Challenge. Good friend Kerrie challenged this small group of stamping buddies to make a folded paper frame card. These are lots of fun and have a terrific impact. Inside my frame are florals and butterflies -- what kind of bushes attract butterflies? Lantana? It must be a bough from a lantana bush! Enjoyed your challenge, Kerrie! Next up is Connie!

Betty