Christmas wishes 2016

Hi everyone,

Here's some of the Christmas card I made this year using element, dies, stamps, paper from previous years:

Giving Thanks with the Dueling Darlings

The 15th of the month is the time for our monthly duel between the Dueling Darling Divas and Dazzlers.  Today is the 18th and I'm a few days late to the duel.  This is getting to be a bad habit with me! This month our hostesses Carol for team Divas and Shelley for team Dazzlers chose the theme "Give Thanks"...So appropriate for this month of Thanksgiving!  I'm on team D.D.Divas and received from Carol this wonderful card kit full of beautiful papers, lovely stamped images and sentiments and gorgeous embellishments:

• Papers:  K & Co paper pack
• Stamped Images:  Wheelbarrow and sentiment from Stampin' Up's "Grateful" set.  Praying boy and girl from Stampendous.  Second sentiment from Hobby Lobby
• Ribbon from Michaels, glitter brown paper tape is Recollections, and various other embellishments like twine, adhesive gems, and leaf stickers.

Here's my finished card:

I colored the image with Copic markers and used an Espresso Brown cardstock for background layers for both the image and the designer paper.  I used this sketch for my layout:

This is the inside of the card.

We were asked to share what we are most thankful for.  I'm thankful for so much:

• Jesus saving grace
• Family and Friends
• Good health
• Freedom to live the life I do
• A lovely home to shelter me 
• Plentiful food to nourish me
• So many blessings that I do not have room to list them all!

Please check out my Dueling Darling friends creations at these places:

Check out the Diva's creations here:

Kelly:  https://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb:  http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/

Carol:  http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/

Kadie:  http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

LJ:  http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/

Suzy:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=SuzyS1104

Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/

And the Dazzlers here:

Darlene:  http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/

Debbie:  http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/

Jeanette:  http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

Paola:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=110313

Shelly:  http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/

Terry A.:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=392549

Terry L.: http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com/

Tracie:   http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Wishing you many, many blessings to be thankful for!

Sharing All Things Fall with the Dueling Darlings

I'm late! I'm late! I'm late to the October Duel with the Dueling Darlings!  This month our teams were hosted by Katie for the Divas (my team) and Paola for the Dazzlers.  They chose the theme "All Things Fall" and Katie sent the Dueling Darling Divas this terrific kit filled with things that remind us of this season.  Here is what was in the kit:

Stamped Image:       Whipper Snapper
Stamped sentiments:  Stampin' Up and Papertrey Ink
Paper: Lawn Fawn
Miscellaneous embellishments:  ribbon, twine, brads and buttons

Here's my card:

I loved this darling pumpkin image and colored it with copic markers and fussy cut it.  Loved the terrific papers and used four of them.  I chose 2 of the ribbons and three of the brads to embellish this card and mounted the colored image on dimensionals.  I used Sketch #40 from Reverse Confetti as the basis for my card:

Katie asked us to share something we enjoy about Fall specific to the area we live in.  I now live in the Arizona desert, a transplant from NW Washington.  If I need to be specific about what I enjoy about Fall here in the AZ desert is the cooling temperatures.  Currently it's still pretty warm for mid-October.  Usually the highs have settled into the 80s but lately the warmer 90+ degree temps have been hanging on.  I do miss the changing colors of Autumn that were in western Washington.  In fact the Fall season is my favorite.  Love the warm colors of red, orange, gold and yellow against the evergreen trees like Douglas Fir and a brilliant blue sky in October....A favorite memory!

Check out the Diva's creations here:

Kelly:  https://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb:  http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/

Carol:  http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/

Kadie:  http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

LJ:  http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/

Suzy:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=SuzyS1104

Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/

And the Dazzlers here:

Darlene:  http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/

Debbie:  http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/

Jeanette:  http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

Paola:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=110313

Shelly:  http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/

Terry A.:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=392549

Terry L.: http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com/

Tracie:   http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

HOOT-HOOT-HOOT! Time for another Duel!!

I'm late for the September duel with the Dueling Darlings...but only for a day.  Hope I'm not in too much trouble with my fellow Dueling Darlings.  This month the duel is being hosted by Barb for the Diva's (my team!) and Tracie for the Dazzlers.  They've chosen the theme "Owls and Halloween!".  I got this fabulous card kit from Barb including the following items:

• Peachy Keen stamped images "County Bumpkin - You Whooooooo Owl
• Stampin' Up Designer Series Paper - "Night Owl"
• Around the
  Block - Color Me Halloween designer paper
• Various Embellishments:  black and orange brads, buttons, ribbons and Baker's Twine 

Here's my card:

I colored the owl with Copic markers and chose the colors based on picture of a Great Horned Owl from the book "Birds of Arizona".  I thought since I know live in Arizona my owl should represent one of the owls found here.  I think he's kind of cute. ;-)  After coloring the moon I thought it need to reflect more light so found my trusty Glossy Accents but that wasn't enough so dug into my supply of glitter that hasn't seen much use in a long time and applied several shades of gold glitter by Martha Stewart.  The card base is black cardstock from Michael's. Everything else is from the card kit.  

I used this sketch from Freshly Made Sketches:

Our hostesses asked us to share a favorite Halloween memory.  When I was in 3rd grade I was invited to a Halloween party hosted by one of my classmates.  That was the very first Halloween party I had ever gone too and my mother made me this beautiful outfit with cutout jack-o-lanterns all around the edge of the skirt.  Wish I still had it!  It was a lot of fun even though I was pretty bashful in those days and was a little nervous about going to a house I had never been to before. (Linda Farrington, if you ever read my blog you'll remember this was your party!)

Check out the Diva's creations here:

Kelly:  https://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb:  http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/

Carol:  http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/

Kadie:  http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

LJ:  http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/

Suzy:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=SuzyS1104

Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/

And the Dazzlers here:

Darlene:  http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/

Debbie:  http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/

Jeanette:  http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

Paola:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=110313

Shelly:  http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/

Terry A.:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=392549

Terry L.: http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com/

Tracie:   http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Going to Rio with the Olympic Darlings!

Yikes!  It's August 15th and I'm hosting this month's duel with Debbie, my Dueling Darling Dazzler partner, and I'm late to the duel!!!  In honor of the Olympics that are currently going on in Rio we decided to challenge our teammates to create a card using items from the kit we sent them.  I'm with team Divas and I so hope they like this kit that includes:

Images:  Summer Olympics digi by ScrappinDoodles
Sentiment:  "Go For The Gold!" (made by me); It Is Not The Destination, But The Journey" by Inkadinkadoo

Papers:  "Travel Adventure Stack" by DCWV;  "Cake and Candles" by We R Memory Keepers;  Gold, Silver, and Bronze metallic by Recollections

Embellishments:
Ribbons:  Michael's Celebrate It and Offray
Adhesive multi-color gems by Recollections
Brads by
Eyelet Oulet
Sequins by Darice
Olympic Rign die cuts with Spellbinder's circle dies

The base is red cardstock and I angled green, black, yellow and blue cardstock panels as well as the "Cake and Candles" balloon dsp to represent the colors of the Olympic rings.  One balloon was colored black with a marker.  And I added sequins to each balloon in that color.  My Olympic torch bearer was colored with Copic Markers in colors worn by the Brazilian Olympic torch bearers and I mounted him with dimensionals on the card in a manner that indicates he's holding the balloons.  The sentiment was colored with Copic markers and layered on Gold Metallic paper.  Had to add some Gold and Silver sequins (so sorry I didn't have any bronze sequins with me!)...

Here's the inside of the card.  I used a strip from on of the "Travel Adventure Stack" designer papers and the second sentiment by Inkadinkadoo.

Deb and I asked the Divas and the Dazzlers to share if they had a favorite summer Olympic event they liked to watch.  It's difficult for me to choose just one event.  I've been loving watching our girls perform so spectacularly in gymnastics and also our USA swim team, both bringing home much gold. Also I'm a fan of the track events that are just underway.  So glad to see our woman shot putter bring home gold.  Loving that our women rowers have done well too! Hope you are enjoying this once every 4 years event!

Check out the Diva's creations here:

Kelly:  https://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb:  http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/

Carol:  http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/

Kadie:  http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

LJ:  http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/

Suzy:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=SuzyS1104

Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/

And the Dazzlers here:

Darlene:  http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/

Debbie:  http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/

Jeanette:  http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

Paola:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=110313

Shelly:  http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/

Terry A.:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=392549

Terry L.: http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com/

Tracie:   http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

A Whimsical Christmas in July with the Dueling Darlings

Oh my! It's the 15th of July and time for another duel with the Dueling Darlings.  This month team Divas' leader Kelly and team Dazzlers' leader Jeanette  chose the theme "Christmas in July".  Kelly decided to give the theme an "extra spin" by calling it "Whimsical Christmas in July".  She sent all the Dueling Darling Divas this darling kit with the cutest image of Snoopy.  Here's what is in the kit: 

Image:  Stampendous "Snoopy's Doghouse, Alley Way Stamps sentiments "Jolly Holiday"
DSP:  Crate Paper "Snow Days"
Embellishments:  Sequin ribbon by Jay's Ribbon Company; loose sequins from HSN; teardrop gems from Recollections, Bling from Kaiser; buttons from Prima and Basic Grey; miscellaneous ribbons from Offray, Stampin' Up and Hobby Lobby.

Here's my card:

I used some SU cardstock for the base of the card and the circle layer for the die cut image.  The image was colored with Copic markers and the colored lights were highlighted with  Glossy Accents by Ranger.  All other items were from the kit.

 I used this week's sketch from  MOJO Monday:

Here's the inside of the card:

Kelly posed an extra challenge for us:  "What is the first thing you do each year to get in the Christmas spirit?"  For me planning my annual Christmas card to send to family and friends gets me in the Christmas spirit as well as putting up Christmas decorations right after Thanksgiving!

Hope you like my card and it gives you a little Christmas spirit!

Check out the Dueling Darling cards here:

My Diva teammates here:

Kelly:  https://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb:  http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/

Carol:  http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/

Kadie:  http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

LJ:  http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/

Suzy:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=SuzyS1104

Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/

And the Dazzlers here:

Darlene:  http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/

Debbie:  http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/

Jeanette:  http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

Paola:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=110313

Shelly:  http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/

Terry A.:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=392549

Terry L.: http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com/

Tracie:   http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

The Dueliing Darlings Are Having Doggone Fun Today!

It's June 15th and time for another duel with the Dueling Darling Divas and Dazzlers!  This month our hostesses LauraJean, for the Divas, and Darlene, for the Dazzlers chose the theme "Pets!".

Here is what was in the kit I received from LJ:

Stamped Image - Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps
Patterned Papers from Paper Studio
Ribbon - Stampin' Up
Banners - Spare Parts/Paper Studio
Bow - Spare parts/Paper Studio
Brads - Recollections (Michaels)
Buttons - Papertrey Ink, Vintage Fall Collection


Here's my card:

I colored the image with Copic Markers and found the perfect Spellbinders die to die cut the image.  

I used this sketch from MOJO Monday for the design and turned it 90 degrees:

Please check out my Diva teammates here:

Kelly:  https://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb:  http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/

Carol:  http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/

Kadie:  http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

LJ:  http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/

Suzy:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=SuzyS1104

Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/

And the Dazzlers here:

Darlene:  http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/

Debbie:  http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/

Jeanette:  http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

Paola:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=110313

Shelly:  http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/

Terry A.:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=392549

Terry L.: http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com/

Tracie:   http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Hope you like my sweet pup and enjoy checking the DDD's creations!

April Showers Are Bringing May Flowers!

It's May 15th and time for another duel with the Dueling Darlings. This month the Dueling Darling  team Divas' Tami and team Dazzlers' Terry L. chose the theme "May Flowers".  I loved the kit my teammate Tami sent!  Here are the deets:

Stamped Image:  Red Rubber Designs "Oh No She Didn't"
Designer paper: Cosmo Cricket
Dry embossed paper:  Sizzix Sugar (green), Sizzix Dots-n-Flowers (red)
Embellishments: flower die cuts, buttons, rhinestones, twine, brads, safety pin,

Here's my card:

I colored this sweet image with Copic Markers and die cut it and mounted it on another scalloped red die cut.  

Here's the Splitcoaststampers sketch I used for the design:

Check out the Dueling Darling Diva creations here:

Kelly: https://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb:  http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/

Carol: http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/

Kadie: http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

Laura Jean:  http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/

Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/

Suzy: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2721974?&cat=500&ppuser=43860

And the Dueling Darling Dazzlers creations here:

Jeanette:   http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

Darlene:  http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/

Debbie:  http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/

Paola:  http://paola-sama.blogspot.com/

Shelly:  http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/

Terry:  http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com/

Tracie:  http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Terry A.: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=392549

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you enjoy all the Dueling Darling Divas and Dazzlers creations!!

Swinging into Spring with the Dueling Darlings!

On the 15th of the month the Dueling Darling Divas and Dazzlers "duel" it out with creations made from card kits supplied by the hostesses who are their team leaders for the month.  This month team leaders Suzy for the Divas and Terry A. for the Dazzlers chose the theme "Swing into Spring" and I was delighted with the darling stamped image and sentiment, gorgeous designer papers and beautiful embellishments I received from Suzy!  Sorry to be so late to the duel!!  Here's my card:

Here is what was included in the kit:
Stamps:  Stampin' Up "A Kind Word"
Paper:  Craft Smither's "Chelsea Lane"
Bling:  Paper Studio
Flowers: Paper Studio "Spareparts"
Ribbon:  Golden grosgrain from The Ribbon Boutique at Hobby Lobby, Organza ribbons (Ivory, Rose, and Navy Blue) The Ribbon Boutique at Hobby Lobby

I used 3 papers from the kit mounted on navy blue cardstock.  The darling girl on a swing image was colored with Copic Markers and cut out.  I used the organza navy blue and gold grosgrain ribbon and 3 of the flowers included in the kit.  Instead of using the bling in the kit I substituded some small pearls on the skirt of the girl's pinafore.

An extra challenge was to share what our favorite springtime/Easter dessert.  At Easter I always loved the chocolate covered nougat egg with my name piped on it in white frosting and also the chocolate bunny that was always in my Easter basket.  Been many, many years since I've had that treat.   But Suzy really would like a springtime dessert recipe to be shared here.  Well, I really love desserts but I'm not sure I have one that is a favorite just at this time of the year so I'm just going to share a favorite recipe that features a late spring, early summer fruit:

Glazed Berry Pie

9" pie shell baked

4 cups fresh berries

3/4 cup water

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup sugar

pinch of salt

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Crush 1 cup of berries, add water, and simmer 3-4 minutes.  Strain to remove seeds and pulp.  This should leave 1 cup of juice. Comgine cornstarch, sugar, salt.  Add juice slowly to the cornstarch mixture to avoid lumps bring to a boil, cook until thick, about 4 minutes.  This juice mixture should be real thick and very clear.   Cool slightly and add lemon juice.  Put 3 cups of  choice berries (sliced if using large strawberries) in pie shell and pour the glaze over the berries making sure all berries are covered.  Garnish with whip cream and more berries.  Delish!!!

Check out team Diva here:

Kelly: http://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com
Barb: http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com
Carol  :http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com
LJ: http://buckygirl.blogspot.com
Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com
Kadie: http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com
Suzi:  (See her SCS gallery here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2702140?&cat=500&ppuser=43860

 Dazzlers creations here:

Jeanette:  http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com
April:  http://aprilsalleryJ.blogspot.com
Darlene:  http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com
Debbie: http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com
 Paola:  http://paola-sama.blogspot.com
Terry:  http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com
Shelly:  http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/
Tracie:  http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

For the Dogs with the Dueling Darlings

It's the fifteenth of the month and time for another duel with the Dueling Darling Divas and Dazzlers.  This month our hosts Carol, team Divas (my team!) and Shelly, team Dazzlers, chose the the theme, "for the dogs",  This choice coincides with the world's largest dog show, Crufts, on March 10 -13 and March 23rd is National Puppy Day.  I didn't have a pet pup growing up but we did have our little Muffy mixed breed dog a few decades ago.  What a sweet pup she was, so loving to man and beast.

Carol's kit included the following items:

Designer paper:  echo park--Dog Border and Puppy love--Jillibean dancing dogs and Fido Fun. Paper Studios multi colored paws.
Stamped Images: Whipper Snapper:  Shelly Sheepdog and Good News Puppy, Bugawumps - Schnauzer
Embellishments:  Red, Navy and Aqua ribbons, puffy paws, glitter dog bone

Here is my card:

I used the MOJO Monday sketch here:

Check out team Diva here:

Kelly: http://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com
Barb: http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com
Carol  :http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com
LJ: http://buckygirl.blogspot.com
Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com
Kadie: http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com
Suzi:  (See her SCS gallery here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2702140?&cat=500&ppuser=43860

 Dazzlers creations here:

Jeanette:  http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com
April:  http://aprilsalleryJ.blogspot.com
Darlene:  http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com
Debbie: http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com
 Paola:  http://paola-sama.blogspot.com
Terry:  http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com
Shelly:  http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/
Tracie:  http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

Being a Kid at Heart with the Dueling Darlings

"I'm late! I'm late! I'm late for a very important date!" Borrowing an apropos statement from Alice In Wonderland fits with  being tarty to the Dueling Darling Duel for February 15th.  This month our hostesses Kadie for the Divas and Paola for the Dazzlers chose the theme "Being a Kid At Heart".  Kadie sent a darling kit full of fun kid friendly items:

    Stamps:  Mickey/Minnie, The greeting Farm Ezra
    Paper:  SandyLion Mickey Mouse, EK Success Mickey Mouse, Simple Stories Say Cheese
    Embellishments:  baker's twine, red stitched ribbon and gray ribbon from SU,
     Creative Impressions heart brads, EK Success Mickey sticker brads, EK Success Mickey
     punch cutouts, hello/smile die cuts from The Greeting Farm, Doodlebug sequins

Here's my card:

I used the Mickey stamped image and colored with Copic Markers, the card base and solid color panels are from my scrap bag in red, black and white.  I used both the Mickey dsp for the vertical panels.  I wrapped the Mickey cutout with bakers twine in a heart shaped pattern and attached at Mickey sticker brad to it.  Other embellishments used were several sequins and a heart brad attached to the "hello'' die cut.  I also used MOJO Monday sketch for the design as seen here:

The hearts on my card fulfilled another request from the hostesses to place at least 1 heart on our project.  The other request was to gift our project to a child in our lives.  My sister and her husband are arriving today from WA for a week and this weekend her son and grandson will be arriving for several days stay.  I'm giving this to my 4 year old grandnephew when he arrives.  Hope he likes it! And we also we asked to share what our favorite game as a kid was.  I had so many but the first one that pops into my mind is Monopoly.   I remember spending hours playing that game with my BFF.

Check out the other Dueling Darling creations here:

Kelly: http://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com
Barb: http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com
Carol  :http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com
LJ: http://buckygirl.blogspot.com
Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com
Kadie: http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com
Suzi:  (See her SCS gallery here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2702140?&cat=500&ppuser=43860

 Dazzlers creations here:

Jeanette:  http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com
April:  http://aprilsalleryJ.blogspot.com
Darlene:  http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com
Debbie: http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com
 Paola:  http://paola-sama.blogspot.com
Terry:  http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com
Shelly:  http://shellymc2.blogspot.com/
Tracie:  http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

New Year, New Duel with the Dueling Darlings!

I can't believe it's the 15th of the month...Already 2016 is on course to speed by faster than 2015.  That may be 'cause I'm getting another year older this month and each year seems to go by faster than the year before.  Okay, I digress...The 15th of the month is time for another duel with the Dueling Darlings.  We are a group of card making, paper crafting ladies who have gathered into two teams, the D.D.Divas (my team!) and the D.D.Dazzlers, to create a card around a theme chosen by our monthly team leader who sends us a card kit full of  stamped images, paper, and a plethora of embellishments to create a paper creation, usually cards.  This month Barb with team Divas and Tracie with team Dazzlers chose the theme "Soup---Get Well"...how appropriate for this winter season!  So many I know have been suffering bad colds or the flu so these cards will be a cheerful note to someone suffering from one of these nasty bugs.

Here are the items Barb sent in her kit:

1. Whipper Snapper Designs -Chicken Soup stamped image
2. Stampin' Up Designer Series Paper -- Comfort Cafe
3. Brads--Midnight Muse and Taupe
4. Buttons--Stampin' Up and Basic Grey
5. Pearls
6. Lots of Ribbon

• SU Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled
• SU Summer Starfruit 3/8" Stitched
• SU Very Vanilla 1/4" and 5/8" Grosgrain
•  Unknown Taupe satin
• Unknown Taupe Bakers Twine 

Here's my card:

I used  sketch 429 from MOJO Monday as the layout for my design.

  Loved these papers that Barb included in the kit!  I colored the Whipper Snapper "Chicken Soup" image with Copic Markers and die cut with Nestability dies.  I use a strip of the SU Summer Starfruit Stitched Ribbon on the bottom panel and topped it off with the light blue button with a bow made from the taupe Baker's Twine.

Barb asked us to share what our favorite soup is.  Mine is Easy Vegetable Soup and I think I posted the recipe in a previous DD post October 2011 so I'm copying and pasting here:

Easy Vegetable Soup

1 cup brown rice

1 cup lentils

2 carrots, sliced

1 onion, chopped

2 stalks of celery, sliced

2  49 1/2 oz. cans chicken broth

1/2 tablespoon dried thyme

1/2 tablespoon dried basil

1/2 tablespoon dried oregano

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 drops of tabasco sauce

2   14 1/2 oz. cans of pasta sauce

Put everything at once into a big soup kettle. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. 

This smells heavenly and is a wonderful meal when accompanied with bread and a salad.  Easy!

Please check out the Dueling Darling Creations here:

Divas creations here:

Kelly:  http://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com
Barb:  http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com
Carol:  http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com
Kadie: http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com
LJ:  http://buckygirl.blogspot.com
Tami:  http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com
Suzi:  See her SCS gallery here: 
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?si=SuzyS1104

Dazzlers creations here:

Jeanette:  http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com
April:  http://aprilsalley.blogspot.com
Darlene:  http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com
Debbie:  http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com
Paola:  http://paola-sama.blogspot.com
Terry:  http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com
Shelly:  http://shellymc2.blogspot.com
Tracie:  http://tracie-craftycreations.blogspot.com

I really appreciate your comments and thanks for stopping by!