The Outlawz Friday Coloring 'Anything Goes/Christmas Twist' Challenge

'Twas the night before Christmas...literally, as I am writing this on Christmas Eve. We just finished eating a marvelous dinner at Shula's Steakhouse at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino. My steak was fantastic! As was the lobster bisque and bread before my meal, the twice-baked potatoes and grilled asparagus during dinner, and the chocolate lava cake after dinner. Yegads, I am stuffed. I am not having a problem sitting up straight to type, as that is the only way I can sit right now. Otherwise, I put too much pressure on my bloated abdomen. Hmm. Not a bad problem to have though, right? Of course, I neglected to take photos of my meal. Sorry about that...

Speaking of food, I now remember why our daughter, Angela, didn't want to fix spaghetti this year for Christmas dinner. It's a LOT OF WORK! I had forgotten, since I have not fixed this recipe for at least 12 years. I was on my feet for 5 hours putting the sauce together to simmer overnight. What was I thinking? Next year, I vote for Jack-in-the-Box. If they are open. Snicker...

Well, this is my last post as a DT for The Outlawz Friday Coloring Challenge. This is our final challenge, not just of this year, but for all time. However, there will be a new challenge on Fridays starting in January, I think. So be sure to look for that. This month our sponsor is The East Wind. So good of Unky to sponsor our last challenge. Be sure to get your entries in this next week to be eligible to win the fab prize of 3 digis from Unky's shop. So many wonderful digis to choose from--go take a peek! Remember, you need to hand-color your image, with the medium of your choice, on your project. I picked another Christmas image for a card I sent out earlier this month.

My image, Sassy Cheryl Reindeer Sally, was printed on X-Press It BC. I colored her with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E01, E11

Hair: YR21, Y26, E44

Antlers: E44, E47, E49

Ornament: Y23, Y26, Y28

Socks/Dress/Headband: G21, G24, G29

Shoes/Trim: E02, E08, E09

I chose DP from the Bo Bunny Silver & Gold collection, paired it with Stampin' Up CS, and used some Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Metallic CS also. I added a bit of Wink of Stella Brush Clear on the ornament, some Frantage, and Whimsy Corner die cuts. And that's it for this edition.

Do check out the fab creations by my talented teammates: Carla, Kathi, and Vannessa. I will miss working with them. However, I am so ready for a break right now. I don't expect to be around much for a bit. But you just never know. I may get totally bored and need to come back to at least shoot the breeze, so to speak. 

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year! May this Christmas be your happiest ever, and may 2016 be the best year possible for all of you.

Go Cards! 

The Outlawz Friday Coloring 'Color/Photo Inspiration' Challenge

Well, at least I am on time this week! I am finally able to take a breath. A very deep breath. I finished all of my Christmas cards and got them in the mail--with the exception of those I hand-delivered. I can only hope that I do not get any unexpected cards in the mail. Because I have no left-overs. Except for a very sexy one I have saved for Gary. That I really shouldn't give to anyone else, KWIM? (That's "know what I mean", for those of you who don't do acronyms.)

I have also finished all my Christmas shopping. Which is not too difficult to do online. Makes my life so much simpler. I feel badly for those small businesses that depend on walk-in customers, but I just can't deal with holiday traffic--auto or foot. I need to shop from the comfort of my home. It's not that I am antisocial or anything. It's just that I am...hmmmm. Guess it is because I am antisocial. They used to call me shy. Yeah, that's the reason. I am too shy to shop. Anybody else out there in the same boat, so to speak?

'K, on to our monthly sponsor. (That was a terrible segue, pardon me.) Our brilliant digi artist this month is Unke of The East Wind. She has created so many fabulous images. And our lucky winner will receive their choice of three digis. Go check out her store if you are unfamiliar with her. I am sure you will find lots of fun images to use! So play along with us this week, won't you? Just hand-color your image with your favorite medium and submit your project before next Friday. You have the beautiful palette below to use as a guide.

I have used my East Wind digi this week. I chose one of the cutest, craziest images possible for Christmas! I love her--she is called Aurora Hair Tree. I thought she was perfect for a card for my hair stylist, Hayli. So I gave it to her on Wednesday when I got my hair cut.

I printed this image on X-Press It BC and colored her with my Copics and Twin Touch Brush markers:

Skin: E000, E01, E11

Hair: E04, E07, TTR1

Dress: TTBG3, TTBG5, TTBG7

Eyes: E25, E29, TTBG1, TTBG9

Since I didn't have DP to match, I simply used Stampin' Up CS. And added some die-cut stars made with Memory Box Star of Wonder dies. Voila! 

I found myself creating a lot of CAS cards for Christmas. Not just to save time, (though that was important, too); but to save on postage, as I was mailing so many cards this year. Didn't want to have too many layers to worry about. Again, KWIM?

Well, our Cardinals have been flexed again this week for the Sunday night game. They are playing in Philadelphia, which is much cooler than Phoenix normally. However, our weather has been really chilly lately, and Philly's weather has been unseasonably warm. So the Cards shouldn't have too much difficulty playing in the cool evening weather Sunday night. At least I hope not. If we are lucky enough to win this game, we will have clinched the NFC West, which would be a really big deal. I will keep my fingers crossed. (But not my eyes. That's too uncomfortable.)

We went to our younger granddaughter's birthday party on Sunday. Brynn turned 12. Heaven help us, she has turned into a Batman freak. So she wanted everything Batman for her birthday and Christmas. And I, being a fabulous grandma, have obliged her. She received all manner of Batman things for her birthday. And I have several more being delivered for her for Christmas. At least she made shopping for her easy for me. Snicker...

One thing I forgot to mention last week was that my sister, Merrilyn, and her hubby, Ron, adopted a new dog into their little family. Lexi is a mixed-breed rescue, with some Shih Tsu in her background. Blended with unknown. But she is very cute and so totally sweet. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 2+ years old. Trained even for tricks--she sits and shakes hands. (Or paws. Whatev.) Cannot figure out why anybody would give her up. Except for the fact that Merrilyn really needed Lexi in her life right now. And Lexi settled into her new life so readily. Just a perfect match. I can see the sorrow easing for my sister. I hope it is for my BIL, Ron, too. 

Oh, here's a bulletin for you. Our daughter always has Christmas dinner. She requested that years ago when her girls were babies. It made it so much easier for Angela's family to not travel anywhere on Christmas Day. Well, last week Angela said she was not making Italian spaghetti for Christmas dinner. Horrors! Her older daughter, Kelsey, and I were devastated! How could we celebrate Christmas without our traditional meal? Somehow, Gary got the dinner moved to our house with me making the Italian spaghetti. Hm. Not really sure how that happened, but Angela was thrilled. She said it was a wonderful Christmas gift for her. Okey dokey. It's been literally years since I have made the family recipe. Hope I remember how to do it...

Gary and I always go out for dinner on Christmas Eve. Since I am fixing dinner the next day, it is even more important this year. He picked Shula's for our meal, and I am pretty happy about that. We have several friends who swear by Shula's steaks. That they are the best in town. So we are finally going to find out if our friends have been smoking dope or really know what they are talking about. 

I am wishing each of you a lovely Christmas Eve. I should have another post here on Christmas Day. But if you don't see it, I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas also! 

In the meantime, be sure to check out the wonderful creations by my talented teammates: Carla, Kathi, and Vannessa. And, if you get the time, please play along with us! 

Have a great weekend! Go Cards!

The Outlawz Friday Coloring 'Gifts/Gift Packaging' Challenge

I'm late, I'm late, I'm late for a very important date! And I am so sorry! But I got so busy with the Cardinals' game, and staying downtown overnight, and having our friend, Vicki, here for Friday day and night, that I just didn't have time to write this up! I deeply apologize if you came to my blog page only to find last week's post. And how boring it would have been for you to have re-read that! 

Onward and upward. As I mentioned last week, our monthly sponsor for December is The East Wind. Our winner will receive his/her choice of 3 digis. And will this person ever have fun picking out the digis! So many wonderful ones to choose from! Please play along with us this month. All you need to do is hand-color an image for your project with the medium of your choice. I will be using my image next week.

This week I used LaLa Land Crafts Christmas Present Luka. I love this image, and it gives me another Christmas card to use for my list of recipients. (Which is getting so long, it's scary, to tell you the truth!) I have been working like a mad fool this past week to get cards ready. And I shall this next week, too. I should be able to get all the cards done. Thank goodness!

OK, I printed my image on X-Press It BC, and colored him with my Copics and Twin Touch Brush markers:

Skin: E000, E01, E11

Hair/Boots: E21, E25, E29

Trim: E50, E51

Ribbon/Pants: BG10, BG11, BG13

Hat/Sweater: R24, R27, TTR1

Gift: YG61, YG63, YG67

My DP comes from the American Crafts Kringle & Co. collection. It was paired with Stampin' Up CS. I also chose a Cheery Lynn Christmas Knick Knacks die for my die-cut embellishments. Then it was finished off with DecoArt Glistening Snow Writer, which you can barely see in this photo. If you squint your eyes almost shut. And use your imagination. I thank you.

Please check out this week's wonderful creations by my talented teammates: Carla, Vannessa, and Kathi. And then join in the fun won't you?

Before I go, I have to say a couple of things. Thursday Night Football was just downright frightening. We did not play our best, by any stretch of the imagination. The Vikings actually outplayed us, but we were lucky enough to pull victory from the jaws of defeat. I am so relieved. We are 11-2 now, and are definitely in the playoffs. So there is that. And the NFL has flexed our game a week from tomorrow, so that we will once again be on Sunday Night Football when we  play the Eagles in Philadelphia. I am wondering if the rest of the country is getting tired of seeing the Cardinals on nationally-televised games. This will make 5 this year! Keerazy! Oh, and then the Green Bay Packers come to town right after Christmas. Help!!!

Also, I want to thank Vicki for spending Friday day and night with us. We had so much fun catching up! She leads such a busy life, being a world-traveling cat judge, and one of the best at that! It is hard to see her often. Hopefully, we will get up to the Bay Area and spend some time with her and Tom next summer.

Oh, I also want to apologize for not getting around to your blogs. I will catch up as soon as I get the chance!

Do have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week ahead. I will be madly coloring images for my last group of cards.

Speaking of cards--Go Cardinals!

The Outlawz Friday Coloring "Let It Snow" Challenge

My mouse batteries are low. Just thought I would mention that, since my computer has that message posted on the home screen. Hm. Scary how smart technology is, isn't it? Hope it doesn't notice all the items I own that have low batteries! Wink, wink! Oh, just kidding...

So, it is Friday again. And time for another challenge. Since winter officially begins this month, we are starting December with a "Let It Snow" challenge. Anything snow-related on your creation is fine. Just make sure you hand-color your image with the medium of your choice. And our sponsor this month is The East Wind, home to fabulous digi images. Love this store! Our monthly winner will receive his/her choice of 3 digis. So be sure to get your entries in, OK?

I will be using my image later in the month. For this challenge I chose Snowy by Conie Fong. I bought it through the now-defunct Sweet Pea Stamps. Pause for a sob or two here...

Anyway, I printed Snowy on X-Press It BC and colored her with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E01, E11

Hair: E51, E53, E37

Wings/Snowman: E40, E41

Coat/Headband/Hat/Scarf: BG000, BG53, BG57

Trim/Boots: N0, N2, N4, N6

My DP comes from the Echo Park Hello Winter collection. It was paired with Stampin' Up CS. I added some Wink of Stella Brush Clear, DecoArt Glistening Snow Writer, and die cuts made with Cheery Lynn Christmas Knick Knacks and Memory Box Frosty Border dies. That covers it.

Be sure to check out the fab cards by my talented teammates: Carla, Kathi, and Vannessa. And then play along with us, won't you? We'd love to see your snowy creations.

I have to mention a couple of things. Well, I don't have to, but I am going to. First of all, our Friday Coloring Challenges will go through December, and the prize will be awarded in January. However, this will be our last challenge month. We are discontinuing the Friday Coloring Challenge, and The Outlawz will make room for a new, fun challenge group to take over in the near future. So, stay tuned for that. Don't feel sorry for us, however, as our DT members are all ready for a change of pace. I, for one, am suffering from a bit of burn-out, and need some time to just be me. Whatever that shakes out to be. Could be a bit frightening for those nearest and dearest to me. Snicker...

Secondly, I have to mention that our Cardinals are still on top of the NFC West, and I dearly hope that continues until the playoffs arrive. I cannot fathom this team being eliminated from playoff contention. Stranger things have happened, but I truly believe that we will contend for a chance to go to San Francisco for the Super Bowl in 2016. OMG! The new year is less than a month away! How did that happen? Can someone please 'splain that to me???

Thirdly, which is more than a couple of things, if you were keeping track, Gary got a new toy yesterday. His Christmas present. For several years to come, I might add. We bought a beautiful 2016 Honda Civic Touring car yesterday. It took hours to go through the buying process, as you may have experienced. Poor Donovan was at home, crossing his little legs to keep from peeing in the house. (Was that too much information? Snort.) But we ended up with a fab new vehicle with all the bells and whistles for Gary to play with. My favorite one is the safety-sensing group that will let him know when he is too close to another vehicle. Better the car tells him that than I. Now, I just have to train myself to keep my mouth shut as a passenger. Which will be really difficult to do. (I love being a back-seat driver in the front seat.)  The new car is a gorgeous black and black. Inside and out. Love it. We put almost 100,000 miles on Gary's Fusion that we traded in. I wonder how long it will take him to put that many miles on his new car. Hopefully longer than four years!

And, fourthly, we have much coming up for us. We are going out with our dinner club to breakfast tomorrow to The Henry. Switching it up a bit, but I love eating breakfast out, so I expect this to be a yummy, fun experience. Then, on Sunday, we have a Christmas concert by the Transiberian Orchestra, which is supposed to be wonderful--really looking forward to that. And next week I am going out to lunch on Wednesday with my sister, Merrilyn, who is still feeling badly about her dog, Simon. But she is getting a bit better, I think. It will be good to see her! It's my turn to pick out a restaurant, so I will put my thinking cap on. Oh, wait, I lost the darn thing. Well, hopefully, something will strike my fancy out of the blue. I hope so for Merrilyn's sake. And then, our beloved Cardinals are playing at home on Thursday night. We play the Minnesota Vikings, which just happens to be the team that our daughter cheers for. I hope we throttle them. Oh, dear, did I just say that out loud? Hardeharharhar.

What else? Oh yeah, next Friday we pick up our friend, Vicki, from the airport so we can spend the day/evening with her. Haven't seen her in two years. She is a CFA cat show judge; she'll be in town to judge the cat show in Mesa that weekend. Will take her to the cat show on Saturday and see some old friends at the show. We used to raise Persians and showed them around the USA. Even had a national win with one of our cats. Many moons ago. When I was actually middle-aged. Now my daughter is that age. Oh, I don't even want to think about that.

And that Sunday we go to our granddaughter's birthday brunch/party. She is turning 12 on December 20th. Holy moly, Rocky. The girls are growing up too fast. Would somebody mind asking Superman to slow the rotation of the earth, so time slows down a bit? I'd ask him myself, if I knew how to reach him. 

I think that is enough activity to keep a young person spinning. At my age, I'll probably get dizzy and take a nap. In between making the rest of my Christmas cards. (gulp.)

So there you have it. An update of sorts. Remember, our DT is looking forward to your entries this week.

Have a great weekend! Go Cards!

The Outlawz Friday Coloring Anything Goes/Christmas Twist Challenge

I wrote this yesterday on Thanksgiving. It was another bittersweet day for me. Sweet, to be sure, because I got to spend quality time with my daughter, SIL, and two granddaughters. We had another delicious turkey dinner at The Deli in Queen Creek. With many wonderful left-overs. Bitter, though, because Gary was sick and couldn't go with us. I did take an entire meal home for him in addition to my own left-over food. And a piece of pumpkin pie, because, after all, what is Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie? 

More importantly, it was a truly bittersweet Thanksgiving for my sister, Merrilyn, and BIL, Ron. Their dog, Simon, had been ill with Cushing's disease for a very long time. He had the usual ailments with that disorder--increased thirst and hunger, pot-bellied abdomen, obesity, lack of energy, among others. He did the best he could, and his parents kept him going for as long as possible. However, last Saturday night he developed heart failure, leading to his demise on Tuesday. They tried oxygen and drug treatment to help him, but it didn't work. So, as many of us have experienced, they made the decision to euthanize Simon. It is so hard to make that choice. But there comes a time when the animal is ready. And I can say unequivocally that he was ready to go. I saw him on Monday and I just knew. So, even though Ron and Merrilyn had their children and granddaughter with them for the holiday weekend, (which is such a joy to them), they had to say goodbye to their dear friend and family member first. To add insult to injury, Wednesday was Ron's birthday. OMG. Wish I could express how badly I feel about the whole thing, but words just fail me now. Like Charles Dickens' classic said: "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times...", and I know no other way to describe it. I do know that time does smooth the rough edges of grief, as it will for them. In the meantime, they will miss Simon terribly. I will miss him, too... 

In other news, our sponsor this month is Vera Lane Studio. This is the home for unique and quirky images. I have used mine this week: The Winter Sisters. I chose this image for two reasons. One, I needed to make another Christmas card. And two, there are three sisters in my family. I am thinking I will give this card to my brother for Christmas. He needs to be reminded of his sisters, don't you think? Do go check out all the fun digis in this shop. The prize this month is one digi set. So be sure to play along--just hand-color your image on your project with your choice of medium.

Sorry this is such a short post. But I am having a great deal of difficulty writing anything at all. There is so much in my life to be thankful for, and I am, believe me. But it all seems to take a backseat when your loved ones are in so much pain.

So, on to my card deets. I printed my image on X-Press It BC and colored it with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E01, E11

Hair: E51, E53, E37

Clothing: BG70, BG72, BG75, R02, R05, R08, B34, B37, B39

My DP is from the Bo Bunny Elf Magic collection, and it was paired with Stampin' Up CS. My die cuts were made with MFT Fishtail Flags Stax and Cheery Lynn Merry Christmas dies. That wraps it up.

Do stop by our challenge and see the fabulous creations by my talented teammates: Carla, Kathi, and Vannessa. Then please play along--it is an easy challenge this week!

Have a great weekend! Go Cards!

The Outlawz Friday Coloring Thanks/Thanksgiving Challenge/Jon's Birthday Card

Well, well, well. A very deep subject. To be sure. Or, as said by Tuf, (the main character of George R. R. Martin's Tuf  Voyaging), "Indeed". BTW, I highly recommend this book if you like sci-fi and humor. Because it has both in spades--loved it!

Had a really fabulous meeting and lunch on Monday! Our fearless leader at The Outlawz, Colleen Holmes, was in town for a Copic Bootcamp over the weekend. Before her flight home, she and I got together and had lunch. It was so much fun to meet Colleen after being a part of her DT for such a long time. She is a funny, warm, generous lady, and I look forward to seeing here again in this neck of the woods. As tired as she is of traveling, that will probably be later rather than sooner. Shout-out: do come back and see us Arizonans again next year, Colleen!

In case you are interested, (and even you're not), our Arizona Cardinals went to Seattle last weekend and defeated the Seahawks. We are now 7-2 and lead the 'Hawks and the Rams by 3 games with 7 left to play. We are in a good place right now. Our schedule is difficult the rest of the season, so only time will tell if we remain on top of the NFC West. But I like our chances. We have another Sunday-night game this week, at home, against the Bengals. I intend to scream my fool head off at the game. It isn't just a matter of contributing to crowd noise. Nay, Nay, I say. It is a tension-reliever. Gets rid of my anxiety at the game by screaming as loudly as I can. (With my earplugs in, mind you. I am not a total idiot. Woe be to all the peeps who sit near me.)

So, I am freezing now. I saw a cartoon on FB that showed a guy with icicles on his face, complaining about 60 degrees here in AZ. Hey, that's me! Well, not with the beard and 'stache, but that's certainly the way I feel. I wear socks to bed at night. My hands are so cold I can barely type. I am making many, many mistakes, because I can't feel my fingers. That's my excuse, and I am sticking to it!

Bragging moment: Granddaughter Kelsey won the Most Valuable Cross-Country Runner at her middle school. I am so happy for her! Imagine Angela's daughter winning an athletic award. I am amazed--where did those genes come from? Angela has never been limber enough to bend over and touch the floor, for goodness' sakes. And when she tried to take up running this year, she ended up with stress fractures in her foot. Angela, if you are reading this, I hope you have a sense of humor about it...snicker, snort. With a mom like me...yeah, I am that supportive. Geesh.

Okey dokey, Smokey. Time for a word from our sponsor. For November we have a really fun one, Vera Lane Studio. She sponsored us last year with her darling images. She is offering a digi set for the prize this month. Do check out her Etsy shop for her unique digi sets.

I will be using my sponsor's image next week, so stay tuned for that. This week I needed to make a birthday card for our SIL, Jon. I cheated a bit on the theme--so sue me. I found a sentiment that should make Jon chuckle, I hope. And it actually says "thanks". It works with the Mayzy Art image, Texting Teen, that I used this week. Fortunately, Jon is not a teen--that would be really weird on so many levels. But, he does text. And tweet So the image fits him to a "t".

I printed the image on X-Press It BC, and colored it with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E01, E11

Hair: E51, E53, E57

Jeans: B32, B34, B37

Shirt: BG70, BG72, BG75, C2, C4, C6, B32, B34

Shoes: C4, C6, C8, BG70, BG72, BG75, B32, B34, B37

Phone: BG70, BG72, BG75

My DP is from the Carta Bella Wildflower collection. It was paired with Stampin' Up CS. And that's it. Jon has been a graphic designer, so simplicity seems to work best for his card. He is turning 49 tomorrow. His last year in his 40's. OMG. Next year my SIL will be in his 50's. (help)

I hope you all check the fabulous creations by my talented teammates: Carla, Kathi, and Vannessa. Then hand-color your image with your choice of medium on your project and play along with us. 

Have a really wonderful weekend! Go Cards!

The Friday Coloring 'Color/Photo Inspiration' Challenge

We have another color/photo inspiration challenge for you this week. And our palette is a really pretty one for autumn/Thanksgiving, so you could take advantage of that for this month's holiday cards. I have used an image for my card that I have had for many months. It is not an image by our monthly sponsor, but I will use that image at the end of the month. Speaking of which:

Our November sponsor is a really fun one. Vera Lane Studio. She sponsored us last year with her darling images. She is offering a digi set for the prize this month. Do check out her Etsy shop for her digi sets. 

OK, my image this month is Aurora Wings Tempest of Ice. I printed it on X-Press It BC, as usual, and colored it with my Copics and Twin Touch Brush markers:

Skin: E000, E01, E11

Hair: E21, E23, E27

Wolves: E42, E44, E47, E49, E02, E08, E09

Clothing: E02, E08, E09, TTYR133, TTYR33, TTYR24, G40, G43, G46

I used DP from the Basic Grey Life of the Party collection and paired it with Stampin' Up CS. I also chose to add some die cuts to the scene, which were made with Lawn Fawn Spring Showers dies. That's about it.

This is quite short for me. Many of you will cheer. Some of you may be bummed. I apologize to those of you who expected something funny today. I am not depressed, but so thoroughly invested in reading right now, that I am not taking the time for writing. Perhaps next week. 

In the meantime, please check out the fab creations by my talented teammates: Carla, Kathi, and Vannessa! Then hand-color up an image, using our palette, and play along with us!

Have a great weekend! And, go Cards!

The Outlawz Friday Coloring 'Cooking/Food' Challenge

Good morning to you! Unless it is afternoon, evening, or nighttime like it is here at the moment this is published. Then good whatever...

Hey, did you know that we had an earthquake here in Phoenix? Yeah, and it was so strong that Gary and I didn't even feel it. And we were awake at the time. Guess it didn't make a big impression, huh? Haven't seen any damage here, either--no cracks, no sinkholes. Nothin'. What a bore. I probably should thank my lucky stars that it was a bore, shouldn't I?

Our Cardinals put on a show in Cleveland last week. The first half they showed everyone what NOT to do in a game. The second half they showed everyone what you should do in a game. If the team that showed up in the second half would just play the whole game, the Cards would be almost unbeatable. We can only hope...

This week is a bye week for us, so it will be entirely stressless. Of course, that also means it will be rather uninteresting. Guess I should just root for some upsets around the league. Last week was pretty scary for a lot of teams, don't you think--with all those season-ending injuries to marquee players. I am sure a few of them are quaking in their booties.

We did get our next home game flexed--which is a strange way of saying that the NFL changed the time for the game. Instead of an afternoon game, it will be a Sunday night game. They must figure that more people will be interested in seeing the Cardinals and Bengals than the Chiefs and Chargers.

We have to go play the Seahawks in Seattle--also a Sunday night game--the week before the Bengals come in here. Should make for an intriguing couple of weeks. Unless you aren't a Cardinals fan--or a football fan, for that matter. Then, frankly, my dear, you really won't give a darn...

Our granddaughter came in 15th with her best time at her last cross-country meet of the year. I am not surprised she ran her best since it was an early morning meet--with much cooler temperatures. Anyway, congrats to Kelsey Meghan!

Have you got plans for Thanksgiving? We are still trying to figure out what we are going to do. And it is getting a bit late. But that's Gary for you. I keep asking him and he keeps putting me off. Kind of like the way he waits until the last second to make Valentine's reservations, and then acts stunned when all the restaurants are booked up. Go figure...

Went out to lunch with my sisters on Wednesday. We went to Flancer's, which is just north of downtown Gilbert. We all had their filet mignon salad, which was quite tasty. It was so huge that we just knew we couldn't finish them. And then we did. Funny how that happens.

Then went to a wine dinner at The Bistro in Queen Creek Wednesday evening. Quite tasty! They had the most amazing tomatillo sauce for the port chops. Yum, yum, yum! (Really great salad, and fantastic chocolate tuxedo pie for dessert!) Of course, I forgot again to take photos. It must be an age thing.

Well, this post has been much ado about nothing. So I'd best get to my card for the week.

We have a really fun sponsor this month. Vera Lane Studio. She sponsored us about a year ago. She is again offering a digi set for a prize. Her images are so kooky and great to work with! I will be using mine at the end of the month. Do go check out her Etsy shop!

This week I chose a Saturated Canary image, Ice Cream and Pickles, for my card. I printed her on X-Press It BC and colored her with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E01, E11

Hair: Y21, YR23, E15, E18

Band/Pickle/Sherbet: YG21, YG23, YG25

Cherry/Sherbet: R83, R85. R89

I had colored her dress with Copics also, but when I looked at her with the DP I chose from the Carta Bella Cool Summer collection, I was almost ill. Terrible color-matching. So bad that I decided to paper-piece her dress with DP, and cover up the coloring I had done. She looks much better, IMHO. I paired the DP with Stampin' Up CS. I added some fun die cuts made with the following:

Poppystamps Simple Banner

Memory Box Baby Carriage

LaLa Land Crafts Rocking Horse

And that's about it for this edition. Please check out the fab creations by my talented teammates: Carla, Kathi, and Vannessa. And then play along with us, won't you? Just hand-color your image with the medium of your choice for a chance to win a darling image set from Vera Lane Studio.

And have a wonderful weekend!

SCACD Digital Stamps RELEASE!!!

SCACD is celebrating 10 newly released exclusive digital stamps. There are some new, cute animal stacks--think kitten, puppies and birds, as well as some Steampunk additions and more!!! So check out the collection as these are really cute, fun and unique. SCACD Artist Carmen Medlin and Susana collaborated on the images and we are happy to be showcasing them to you now :D

Now available for purchase in the USA HERE 

     

All Our EU International Friends can purchase them HERE 

      

If you are a none EU country you can purchase direct from SCACD HERE 

I was asked by SCACD to participate in a blog hop for showcasing their new digital stamps. I was more than happy to agree, as I loved the new digis, and needed to make more Christmas cards. So I chose a darling image, Steampunk Penguin, by Carmen Medlin. Perfect for a Christmas card, don't you think?

I printed him on X-Press It BC, and colored him with my Copics and Twin Touch Brush markers: TT1, TT3, TT5, TT7, TT9, YR20, YR21, YR23, BG10, BG53, BG57. I paired him with Echo Park Hello Winter DP, Stampin' Up CS, some Frantage, and die cuts made with: Spellbinders Create a Flake 3, Cheery Lynn Gears, Cheery Lynn Snowflake 6. Fairly simple and easy to mail. 

You should be going next to Nikki if you want to make sure you saw all the Designers showcasing the stamps then head back to the SCACD Store Blog HERE for the list.

Please note SCACD is having a SALE so check it out HERE. 

Have fun blog-hopping and shopping! 

The Outlawz Friday Coloring 'Anything Goes/Christmas Twist' Challenge

Oh, mercy me! It is actually Thursday as I write this, and I know what I want to do with this day. You know how "Throwback Thursday" has become a thing? Well, I want to throw this Thursday back into the void. It is downright ugly here today. Gray, windy as all get-out, rain, thunder, you know--the works. I am ready to see the sun again. And it has only been 24 hours since it was here. Yes, I am spoiled, but that's why we moved to Arizona. For the SUN! Not this gloomy crap that is looming over us. But, hey, on the bright side--Gary cleaned up the dog pooh before the storm. So there is that...

OK, I am pretending it is Friday. When we are supposed to have some more sun...

Hey, howdy, and welcome to our new challenge for the week at The Outlawz Friday Coloring Challenge! Yes, it is our AG again, since it is the end of the month. So you can throw a Christmas twist in there, too, if you are like me, and still in need of cards for the holidays. Speaking of holidays, tomorrow is Halloween. And all the little monsters will be out trick-or-treating. Fortunately, we are stocked with lots of candy I don't like. (That is fortunate, because if we have left-over candy, I won't be tempted to eat any.) We were going to get the little snack bags at Costco like my sister, Merrilyn, has. But alas and alack, we shopped too late and those were all gone. Kind of like my mind...

Gary told me we needed to go somewhere for Halloween so we could avoid the trick-or-treaters. But I know our dog. He would totally freak out being by himself, and I won't put him through that. I don't roll that way. However, as pudgy as I have gotten, I do roll pretty easily with a little shove. That's why I don't want left-over candy that I would be tempted to eat. You know those three pounds I gained when I was on the steroids? (I think I mentioned that about 100 years ago or so.) Well, I am still dragging that around with me on a daily basis. If anyone wants to borrow it, I'd be glad to cut off an inch or twenty for you...

Say, we had a fun Monday night. ESPN was here for Monday Night Football between our beloved Cardinals and the Baltimore Ravens. Well, nevermore, nevermore. We squeaked out a win, which is unusual for us on a Monday night game. But thrilling, nonetheless. And Merrilyn and Ron took Don for the night so we could stay at the Westin in downtown Phoenix. It is such a long drive home after a night game, so we make a fun staycation out of it. Had some yummy food in the Westin lounge after the game, along with a delicious glass of Tempranillo. Yeah, good way to relax at 10:00 p.m.

We had a good breakfast on Tuesday in the Westin Executive Club. Got to drink lattes to our heart's content...yum. And then off to do a bit of shopping before picking up the Don at Merrilyn's. Oh, we went to lunch at a Greek restaurant with her and Ron before heading back out to Gilbert. Nice little break in the week for us. (Notice I have mentioned food several times? No wonder I am still dragging that 3 pounds along with me!)

My other sister, Barbara, arrived in town Tuesday night. She will stay here for the next month or so. And we are going to the Rubber Stamp Convention next week--can hardly wait! I won't be buying stamps, as I am almost exclusively digi now, but I do love to look at other things. And I need some Copic refills if there are any available. Also 7x7 envelopes for my cards. Hopefully, there will be some there...

Well, I have some very sad news in case you hadn't heard. This is the last month that we will be sponsored by Sweet Pea Stamps, as she is closing up shop. I am devastated. My favorite stamp shop will no longer be available. Drat. And boo, hiss. But if you get your entry in this week, you still have a chance to win the last prize she is awarding to our challenge. Your choice of three digis! Get them while you can...all you need to do is hand-color your image with the medium of your choice. So please play along with us this week.

I chose Sweet Pea Stamps Angel of Christmas Stars, by Conie Fong. Love this image! I have had it for several months, just waiting to use it. Apparently, today was the day! I printed her on X-Press It BC, and colored her with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E01, E11

Hair: E21, E25, E29

Flowers: RV91, RV93, RV95, RV99, E41, E42, E43, E44

Dress: BG23, BV25, BV29

Trim/Lips/Heart: RV63, RV66, RV69

Wings: BG11, BG13, BG15, BG18, BG72, BG75, BG78, E42, E43, E44

Globe: BG11, BG13, BG15, BG18

My DP is from the Bo Bunny Altitude collection, and it was paired with Stampin' Up CS. I used one die cut, made with Memory Box Frosty Border. And that's it. Another Christmas card fini! YAY! 

Please check out the fabulous creations by my talented teammates! And then join Carla, Kathi, Vannessa, and I this week for our challenge of Anything Goes.

Have a great weekend! (My Cardinals are in Cleveland this Sunday. Go Cards!)

The Outlawz Friday Coloring 'Color/Photo Inspiration' Challenge

So, another challenge. And it is the monthly Photo Inspiration challenge. Love the palette this month! And, though we don't have a formal Halloween challenge, you can certainly use this one for a Halloween card.

Before I get to my card details, I have to mention a couple of things. Yes, my Arizona Cardinals lost to Pittsburgh. Yes, it was a really awful outing for my team. Again. Don't know what to say, except that we are on Monday Night Football this next week at home. We had better win. Or this season could be a really short and disappointing one. Or a really long and disappointing one--depending on if you see the glass half-empty or half-full. Enough about football. (Even my Arizona State Sun Devils lost this past weekend. Boo, hiss.)

Jon, Angela, and the girls really liked last week's card, which was for Jon and Angela's 17th anniversary. I find it hard to believe that they have been married that long. You realize that makes me an older person. Since our daughter didn't marry until she was 26 years old. Funny how your own age can make you feel older, but your child's age makes you feel ancient...

Gary has been scanning our old slides. Which were taken years ago. (There we go with the age thing again.) And it brings back so many memories to look at them. Until it doesn't. You know, you look at a photo, and you wonder what the heck you were doing at the time. Nothing looks familiar. And then your spouse 'splains' it to you. As if you were ditzy Lucy Ricardo. On a TV show. That I absolutely have no memory of, because I was much too young to see it on television. Except for the episode where Lucy was in the big barrel stomping on grapes. Which made me laugh and laugh and laugh--and it apparently foreshadowed that I would be a wino...

Back to our regularly-scheduled program: October's challenge is also sponsored by Sweet Pea Stamps--lucky us and lucky you! Us, because we get to work with so many wonderful artists and images. And you, because you get to choose three images by these artists if you are our randomly-drawn winner!

I chose Elphaba and Her Monkey, by Charmaine Flannery for this week's card. Love Charmaine's images, and this one is really cool! I decided not to do her skin in green, as I am not experienced in doing green faces. (I wonder why.) So I printed her on X-Press It BC and colored her with the following Copics:

Skin: E000, E01, E11

Hair: E74, E77, E79

Monkey: YR21, YR23, YR27

Hat: BV01, BV02, BV04, BV08, RV95, W1, W3, W6, W8, W10

Background: RV91, RV93, RV95, RV99

The color palette for the month was well-represented by the Basic Grey Plumeria collection, so I chose that for my DP, and paired it with Stampin' Up CS. I made a few die cuts with the following dies: Cheery Lynn Horizon Oval Boutique Stackers, LaLa Land Crafts Corner, LaLa Land Crafts Lattice Border, and LaLa Land Crafts Lattice Doily Border.

I am so lucky to be surrounded by talented DT teammates. This week, unfortunately, we are a bit short-handed for various and sundry reasons. But please play along with us anyway. Carla, Kathi, Vannessa, and I would love to see your creations! Just be sure to hand-color an image with the medium of your choice on your project.

And, have a great weekend! (Go Cards!?)

  

The Outlawz Friday Coloring 'Buttons' Challenge/J & A Anniversary Card

Yes, it is that time of year again! To celebrate the anniversary of our daughter and SIL's wedding. October 17th. An auspicious day for them, to be sure. And I combined their anniversary with the theme for this week's challenge, which is in homage to Count Your Buttons Day on October 21st.

How did I do that? Well, by picking an adorable image of a young couple, (Sweet Pea Stamps Kissed by an Angel, drawn by Conie Fong), and combining it with some button die cuts. I am nothing, if not clever, hey? Snicker...

We are sponsored again this month by the inimitable Sweet Pea Stamps. My home away from home. So many wonderful artists. So many fabulous digis. So little time. You can win the prize of 3 digis if you enter our challenge during the month of October. Good luck! (Just be sure to hand-color an image with the medium of your choice on your project entry.)

Wish I could tell you about all the fascinating things I have done this past week. But it was a fairly ordinary week for me. We did attend granddaughter Kelsey's cross-country meet on Friday afternoon--again too hot for a 2-mile run, if you ask me. But they didn't. Ask me, that is. Anyway, she came in fifth after three weeks of finishing 9th. So she was pretty happy!

We took the family to dinner at El Zocalo in downtown Chandler after the meet. Had a decent dinner, nothing fabulous, but it was nice to sit down to a meal with all of them. We do not seem to do that often enough.  But then, they lead such busy lives. I do seem to recall doing that myself, once upon a time...

Then we watched the Cardinals/Lions game on Sunday. Well, I didn't watch it live. After seeing the first possession end up the way our last one did a week ago, I set up the recorder and left the building. Like Elvis. (Not actually. I just went into the den to read.) I did see the game after we returned from a lovely dinner at Fleming's Steakhouse. (We had their steak & lobster special, and it was really delicious!) Gary watched a little of the game with me and then he went to bed, while I saw the rest of the lopsided win by the Cards. It is much less stressful to watch when you know the outcome, I have found. (Another snicker, but with an added snort.)

This week our 4-1 team will travel to Pittsburgh to take on the mighty Steelers. Will probably have to record this game again, as I don't know if I can watch it in real-time. I know the guys really want to win this one for their coach, Bruce Arians. You see, he used to work for the Steelers as their offensive coordinator. And they not only didn't renew his contract, but they told the public that he had retired...retired, my rear end. He was basically fired. And I don't think he has completely gotten over that. I, for one, am glad it happened. It meant that he went to the Colts for a year as their offensive coordinator/interim coach. And then came to Arizona as our head coach. In those three years he has been Coach of the Year twice. Not too shabby for a "retired" guy, huh? (Gotta stick up for us oldies, but goodies.) Anyhoo, I am sure he wants to return to Pittsburgh and trounce their team. As a final gesture, if you will...

On a smellier note, I cleaned up all the dog doodoo yesterday. Quite a fun job. One that I try to wiggle out of if I can coerce Gary into doing it. 'Cuz it has been really hot for several months, and I don't do well working outside in the heat. I am much better when it cools off. If I had known that I would perspire so profusely, I would have wiggled out of poop patrol yesterday, too. Unfortunately, Gary wasn't here, and I needed to get the job done. As we had the builder of our house coming out for an inspection. And I didn't want them tromping through Don's leavings and smooshing them all over the place. Yuck. OK, enough of that. I told you I had an uneventful week.

On to my card. I printed the cutie-pie couple on X-Press It BC and colored them with my Copics and Twin Touch Brush markers:

Skin: E000, E01, E11

Her Hair: E51, E53, E37

His Hair: Y21, YR23, E15

Wings/Jeans: TTBG1, TTBG3, TTBG5

Shirt: YR14, YR15, YR16, YR18

Dress: E93, R02, E09

Branch: E29, TTBR92, TTBR98

I took my palette from my DP, which is from My Mind's Eye Honey Cake collection. My CS is from Stampin' Up, and the button die cuts were made with a Sizzix Buttons #5 die. Fairly simple, if not actually CAS. 

Please check out the beautiful creations by my talented teammates: Carla and Vanessa! And then please play along with us again this week! Our theme is easy to do!

Oh, and I plan to catch up on your blogs today or tomorrow. I am behind in my commenting, because I have been so swamped, doing nothing.  Clearing throat loudly here and running away...

Have a great weekend!

The Outlawz Friday Coloring 'Party Time' Challenge/Jenifer's Birthday Card

Another day, another dollar. Another Friday, another challenge...and this one is to honor "It's My Party Day" on October 11th. I really hope you can find a party image and play along with us. You can use any medium you want, just make sure you hand-color your image with it! And you will be entered into our monthly drawing. This month we are again sponsored by one of my favorites: Sweet Pea Stamps! The prize will be the winner's choice of three digis--lucky winner--so many artists, so many images to choose from!!!

Before I get into my card, which features a Sweet Pea Stamps image, Fairy Tea Party, by Katerina Koukiotis, I am going to update you on world affairs. Oh, just kidding. I pay as little attention as possible to news, except sports. (News stories mostly depress me.) And, after the Cardinals' game this last Sunday, I am paying less attention to sports as well. That game sucked. Don't know how to put it in any better terms. It was a terribly disappointing game to attend. Here's hoping the game this week in Detroit goes better for the Cardinals. However, I do feel badly for the Detroit Lions and their fans. They got hosed by the officials in Seattle Monday night. And Seattle won the game as a result. Which, for Cardinals' fans, was really disappointing news...

Enough of that. Gary and I were called Wednesday to pick up our new glasses--his regular frames and my sunglass frames. Very happy with both. I noticed that my eyes were so much more relaxed while riding in the car. I must see so much better in my new sunglasses that I am not straining my eyes. Hallelujah! Perhaps I was wrong. Perhaps you are all just a smidgeon safer if you are on the road when I am driving...

I went outside yesterday and thought I saw a big piece of dog feces on the deck. Sometimes Donovan will poop in the yard, and the last bit falls onto the deck edge as he is running away from his "dumpola".  But this looked like he had started his poo on the deck. Dratted dog. Not. quite. so. fast. It was not dog droppings. Nay. Upon closer inspection, it was actually purple and green instead of dog-doodoo-brown. And one end of it moved slightly. Huh. I asked big Gar to check it out, and he said it was a caterpillar. Really? Well, the moth that thing is going to turn into must be the size of a small airplane. Ick. Gary was kind and picked up the creature and put it out on our rosemary bush in the front yard. Not so sure that was a good idea--it may eat the entire shrub. I think some giant bird must have dropped it while flying by--otherwise why would it suddenly appear in the middle of our deck? Again, ick. Wish I had thought to take a photo, but my brain must have been in first gear at the time. And I am not going to search the rosemary bush for the thing. It might possibly kidnap me. (Shudders....)

Our weather took quite a turn this week. Down into the 80's, so it really felt like fall. However, Gary tells me that we are about to go back up into the high 90's, so there is that. I know my sister, Merrilyn, is celebrating that the temps will go back up. I prefer it a bit cooler at this time of year. Of course, that means that we are not using our pool so much, as it has really cooled off. Need my wetsuit again. Snicker...

OK, about my card for the week. I picked this image for our party theme as it is called Fairy Tea Party. See how I am? I can really connect the dots.  I also chose this for Jenifer's birthday, which is coming up in a couple of weeks. She is a wonderful friend in our dinner club group. I actually have never seen her drink a cup of tea, but hope that she enjoys the image anyway.

I printed the image on X-Press It BC, and colored her with my Copics:

Skin: YR000, YR00, YR01

Hair: W6, W8, W10

Ribbon/Flower: BG70, BG72, BG75, BG78

Wing/Cup/Saucer/Leaves: G21, G24, G28, BG72

Lips: E02, E07, E09

Eyes: E25, E29, W0, W1

I left the front very simple with just DP from the Bo Bunny Zip-a-dee-doodle collection mounted on Stampin' Up CS.

I do hope you join us this week. Please check out the fab creations by my talented teammates: Carla, Kathi, and Vanessa at the Friday Coloring group on The Outlawz!

Have a wonderful weekend! Go Cards!

The Outlawz Friday Coloring "Anything Alice in Wonderland" Challenge

Wow, I am actually writing this on a Friday morning! I had such a weird week that I didn't get my card done until the last minute, and then couldn't drag myself to the computer to write up a post. So, I am late posting my card. Fifty lashes with a wet noodle...

Let's see, what momentous things happened since last Friday? We got our new iPhones! Yes, indeedy, and now I am synced with my computer. Lovin' that! There was a slight bug, which Apple thinks they fixed. I surely hope so. Our phones kept dropping wifi at home to go to 4G. And that costs data. It appears that my phone is staying on wifi at home. Hope so! Anyway, I love my new phone.

And we continued to watch Don like a hawk so he didn't pull out his sutures. On Sunday, we took him to Merrilyn's in the morning, and then headed out to the football stadium. After more than a week of constant vigilance, it was such a relief to have someone else worry about his hairy little head.

At the stadium we got out of our car and walked to security to be checked out. OMG! Everyone parked in that row on both sides was from San Francisco. I knew we were in trouble with the noise they would generate inside. (Yes, we do have an indoor stadium, with a retractable roof. You don't expect those big kids to play pro football in 105 degrees outside, do you? Imagine the sweaty stench. Oooh, I'd rather not. And I want to enjoy the game in air-conditioned comfort, too!) Anyway, there were far too many 49ers' fans at the game; and, yes, they did make way too much noise when we had the ball. Our team had to go to a silent snap count in our own stadium. I just wish all those season ticket holders who sell their tickets to the opposition would cut it out. Dagnabit...

Even though our team was handicapped with the noise, we made it worse on the 49ers. We were rocking the noise, and our team was rocking the players. Holy moly, Rocky! We won 47-7, in case you hadn't heard. Not that you care, but it was the best game I have ever been to. Loved every minute of it, and stayed until the end, including the coach's interview. Then we headed to Tempo Urban Bistro in Verrado, which is in Buckeye on the west side. You know, like halfway to California.

We had the best meal that night! It was the last day of Restaurant Week, and we actually got to eat at a participating restaurant once! Better than not at all. I forgot to take photos with my new phone. Bummer. I can't believe it. (Has nothing to do with my age. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!) I had a first course of the most delightful brussel sprout salad. With caramelized butter nut squash, quinoa, parmesan cheese shavings, and toasted pumpkin seeds! Loved it! Gary had their blue masa fried rock shrimp. I tried one and it was delicious! Then we both had Filet of Beef Wellington, with mushroom duxell, caramelized leek demi-glace, baby potatoes and carrots. Holy cow! (No pun intended!) I had never eaten Beef Wellington, so really wanted to try it. So glad I did. We both loved it! Couldn't finish all my potatoes, though. I was already full and we still had dessert coming. And what a dessert! I had the caramel apple tart, which literally melted in my mouth. Oh, baby! Gary had the molten lava brownie, which was wonderful, but not as good as my tart! With a great glass of wine during the meal and a cappuccino afterward, it was as perfect as it could be. Just too. much. food. I was uncomfortably stuffed. Should have known better, hey? I would love to go back to that restaurant, but it is 1-1/2 hours from our house, so probably won't go again real soon. But it made for a great night.

We didn't pick up Don until Monday, as he had a sleep-over while we stayed at the Westin in downtown Phoenix for the night. Was quite funny walking into the hotel with our Cardinals jerseys on, since we saw several 49ers fans in their jerseys. I am sure they weren't happy to be reminded of the butt-kickin' their team had just received. And, no, we didn't say anything. Didn't even make eye contact. Hey, I am old, female, and weak. No way am I going to get into a physical altercation over football...or anything else, for that matter.

So, on Monday, Don got his sutures out. And then we were supposed to go to lunch with Merrilyn and Ron, (sister and BIL). Well, Ron was at Goodyear getting a new battery put into their Trooper. We were going to pick him up, but he called as we were on the way to say he would meet us at the restaurant since the Trooper was ready to go. Ok, fine. But he didn't show, he didn't show, and finally Merrilyn got him on the phone. Someone had rear-ended him on the way to the restaurant. So we grabbed our drinks and hot-footed it to the scene of the crash. Good thing he was in the Trooper--it's an SUV, so he didn't get hurt badly. Sore neck, but OK. After all the paperwork was filled out, we followed him home and then drove him to the restaurant, Little Thaiger. Which has very good food, btw. Strangest lunch I have had in a long time, though. Drove Ron and Merrilyn back home, got Donovan, and headed out to our house. Longgggg day!

I think I spent most of Tuesday recovering from the weekend and Monday. (You know, it takes a while for old people to recover from so much excitement.) Then I had an eye appointment on Wednesday, which wrecked my eyes for hours. You know how that goes. Really makes it hard to see with the dilation, and impossible to color. So I didn't get my card done until late Thursday. Oh, hey, my eyes didn't change much at all. Not enough to warrant new glasses. But I did get new prescription sunglasses, as mine were a couple of prescriptions old--and hard to see with. The frames Gary and I picked out, (yes, he had input as usual), are really, really big. And the lenses that were in them were reflective. So when I tried them on I looked like a grasshopper.

But the gals at Aztec Optical are so much fun and so helpful, that they put regular sunglass lenses in the frames, and then they looked nice on me. And they are a turquoise-ish frame, which Gary loves on me. So I am getting those with Polarized lenses. I will finally be able to see to drive again. (Yes, it has been dangerous for other drivers when I have been on the road. Of course, just because I will be able to see again doesn't mean that you people will be any safer when I am driving. Good luck to you.)

I did find out that the reason I thought I needed new glasses is because my retinas are wrinkling. Just like my corneas have. Hey, what is it about getting old that causes wrinkles all over your body? Even in places you can't see without x-rays? I bet my organs are wrinkled. Guess I need to invest in a new iron...

Okey dokey, I think I have you caught up with the exciting events in my life, such as they are. So I will move on to my card for the week.

Our sponsor this month is once again Sweet Pea Stamps! YAY! So happy! And our lucky winner will win his/her choice of three digis! I so love perusing their store--so many wonderful artists with tons of fabulous images!

In honor of Mad Hatter Day, October 6th, I chose an actual Mad Hatter image. You can choose anything from the Alice in Wonderland tale. (Just be sure to hand-color your image, with your choice of medium.)  My image is from Make it Crafty, called The Mad Hatter. I printed him on X-Press It BC, and colored him with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E01, E11

Hair: W5, W7, W9

Clothing: YG91, YG93, YG95, YG97, BG13, BG15, BG18,

 W0, W1, W2, E02, E07, E09

My DP is from the Carta Bella Well Played collection, and it was paired with Stampin' Up CS. I used some die cuts on my card, made with Spellbinders Feathers on the Wind and Cheery Lynn Mini Playing Cards dies. And that does it for another week!

Please visit us at The Outlawz Friday Coloring Challenge, and check out the fab creations by my talented teammates: Carla, Kathi, and Vanessa! Looking forward to you playing along with us this week.

We are headed to another Cardinals game in Glendale on Sunday. This time we play the St. Louis Rams. I doubt that we will blow them out, but I certainly hope that we win to make out record 4-0! Hope you have some fun plans, too!

Have a great weekend!