Florida Pictures

  I thought you might enjoy seeing some more pictures of the park we have been staying in during March.

We are leaving Florida bright and early Wednesday morning heading back to Indiana.  We will stay in Georgia Wednesday night and then hopefully arrive home late Thursday night.  Please pray for our safety as we travel.  

Next week I have to get my taxes ready for the accountant, but I sure hope I have a chance to sit down and do some crafting. 

  I plan to have a Kitchen Shower (brunch) for our daughter Lori, whose home was totally destroyed by fire in February.   I sure hope my creative juices start flowing when I get home as I would like to make the invitations.

Thanks so much for sticking with me during these 3 months of no crafting.  I promise to try and make it up to you.

 Beautiful palms trees line the entry way to greet us as we enter Crystal Lakes Park where we have lived during March.  Beautiful Red Geraniums and white Dusty Miller plants surround

each tree.

We love the gorgeous waterfall and beautiful flowers located near the trees.  The upkeep of the grounds are done by lots of volunteers and many of the plants are purchased from funds that the "Junkies" donate.  They earn this money from donated items that need repair or paint and then they sell them and give the money to the park for upkeep.

A miniature golf course with the club house in the background allows the guests to practice their swings.

Isn't this fountain gorgeous.  Every time we pass by, I tell Jon I need one for my garden.  Don't you think it would be a nice addition?

  I just love it.

This is the view out our front window across the street.  Usually there is an RV park there, but they moved out last night.  It is already rented and a new one there now.

There is a large room that is used for crafting, painting, stained glass, scrap booking and anything you want to do,  

There is also a woodworking shop for the guys,

As of now, we don't have a place here for next year, but will be staying in the same Condo we had in Fort Myers during January and February.  We really liked it there too, so we are blessed!!!

 

There is this wonderful restaurant here called Fords Garage (named after Edison Ford) that we just love.

Old cars and trucks make up the atmosphere for the restaurant.  It is really a cool place.

  This is the sink in the bathrooms.

And the winner is~~~~~

This week's winner was chosen by a random drawing and

  Lori is this week's winner.  

Congratulations Lori!!! 

A big thanks to those of you who created a card for the challenge.

I will be sending Lori a badge for her web site and Terri will be sending a gift from Joan's Gardens.

 You can see Lori's beautiful card here!   Don't miss it. If you haven't left Lori a comment yet, please do so. It is always nice to read how others enjoy our cards.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

3 

Timestamp: 2014-03-24 15:29:10 UTC

Challenge #6

Spring has officially arrived, but from things I am hearing it has forgotent to appear in many areas of the United States.  So, for this week's challenge I thought we would do something springy and bright.

The challenge for this week is the following:

You can make 3 cards this week. 

 The winner will be chosen by a Random Drawing.

A badge will be sent to the winner and Terri at Joan's Gardens will be be sending a prize to the winner.

Here is what you need to do for this week's challenge!

Use some kind of lattice -

Use pink and white

Adds some flowers

You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens     

 

Below are the products I used to create this card.  You can purchase them at www.atjoansgardens.com

Fancy Lattice S5152	SOLD OUT	Tiffany Frame 98401	X-Press It High Tack Foam Mounting Tape	Rhinestones	Glue Dots 03669	Ink Blending Tool	Neenah Paper
Distressed Ink Pads	EBosser	Scissors by Honey Bee	Tool Kit	Glue llider	Round Pliers for Making Flowers	Fanciful Flourish B117	Ultimate Glue
Kasssie Embossing Folder	Black Mat	Glue and Seal	Gesso	Royal Rolled Rose

InLinkz.com

Golf Cart Blessing

 

For those who know me, know that I absolutely love meeting people!! This is the one thing that I had most looked forward to when we decided to come to Florida.  Sometimes, that is hard to do in a place where everyone has been together for several years (know what I mean?)  But, I am very determine and try to find ways to accomplish this.  Jon is also very, very good at this, so we both are pretty out going and neither of us usually know a stranger.

Many people in this park drive around in a golf cart as it is 2 miles around the park.  We really wanted to rent one for the month, but when we found out the price we decided to pass on it for this year.  Jon was extremely disappointed.

When we first arrived here, the neighbors across the street (whom we had not met yet) had a big party with live music.  We really enjoyed sitting outside listening and told them so the next morning.  They said they hoped it didn't keep us awake which it did not.  From that time we talked with them and Jon visited with Kent several times.  Well to make a long story short, they were going up to Georgia for a week and asked us if we would like to use their Golf Cart while they were gone.  We have really enjoyed it and you can see that Mr. Whiskers also love riding around.

God is good and we certainly felt His blessings from these nice people.  

Lori (our daughter) texted me after I told her about our blessing and said "hey Mom, that Banana Nut Bread sure worked didn't it?"  It pays to be nice to our neighbors and I get such joy out of it!!!!

And the winner is~~~~

This week's winner was chosen by a random drawing and

Olga is this week's winner.  

Congratulations Olga!!! 

A big thanks to those of you who created a card for the challenge.

I will be sending Olga a badge for her web site and Terri will be sending a butterfly die..

 You can see Olga's beautiful card here!   Don't miss it. If you haven't left Olga a comment yet, please do so. It is always nice to read how others enjoy our cards.

  Random Integer Generator 

 Here are your random numbers: 

 6 

Timestamp: 2014-03-18 00:38:44 UTC

Challenge #5

Please click on the picture for a better view.

Nellie and Marianne has some beautiful prints that are like magazine pictures.  So, I did the following steps to transfer the picture to cardstock. 
 
1.  Cut out the picture
2.  Cut out the same size from Elizabeth Craft Transfer Sheet
3.  Lay this on top and burnish it with your finger. 
4.  Spritz water onto the back of the Vintage image. Let it soak a bit and then start carefully rubbing with your finger to remove the paper.  Be very careful not to dig into the picture.    Make sure all the paper is remove before moving to the next step.
5.  Lay the picture down onto cardstock and burnish. Make sure it is totally adhered to the card stock before removing the transfer sheet.  Cut the card stock larger than the picture so it can be cut with a die. 
6.  Cut with a decorative die that is the shape you want for the card.


You can purchase the following products from Terri at www.joansgardens.com


Products I used on this card:
Transfer Sheets  - Elizabeth Craft  - EC600
Victorian Romance Flourish - DL151 - Cheery Lynn
Floral Flourish #1 -  6002/0156  - Joy Die
Floral Flourish  #4 -  60020159  -  Joy Die
Flourish Branch #2 - 60020264 -   Joy Die
Floral Branch #1 - 60020263  - Joy Die
Build A Flower #1 - B181 - Cheery Lynn
Garden Branch - LR0151 - Marianne
Flower and Leaves - LR0156 - Marianne
Decorative Elegance - LR0157 - Marianne
Labels 8 - S5-119 - Spellbinders
Floral Frenzy Embossing Folder - EF6 FLOR - Crafters Companion
Brown Pollen for centers of flowers
Susan Cockburn tool kit
eBosser
Best Glue Ever, Crafters Pic Glue, Glue Glider

The challenge for this week is the following:

You can make 3 cards this week. 

 The winner will be chosen by a Random Drawing.

A badge will be sent to the winner and Terri at Joan's Gardens will be be sending a prize to the winner.

Here is what you need to do for this week's challenge!

• Colors:  Neutral
• Use a picture(any kind)
• Add a fancy corner or flourish
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens. 

Yummy Banana Bread

I have found a couple nice Kitchen Shops during our visit to Florida.  I love to browse through them and see different things to use in my cooking.  I found this mini 4 loaf pan for bread or mini meat loaves.  I passed up purchasing them, but Jon walked over and bought it for me.  He knows me, I am not an impulse buyer and so often I don't buy something and wished I had.  Of course, he has benefited from this purchase as I have made Banana Bread 3 times so far.  We have eaten some, but I have have fun giving these 6 inch mini loaves of bread to neighbors too.  I love doing that!!!
I know I will enjoy this pan in many different ways.

My Mom created this recipe several years ago and it is soooo moist.  You can also make it in a regular bread pan.


  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  2                     RIPE BANANAS
  2                     EGGS BEATEN
  1       T           VANILLA
  1/2    C           OIL
  1/4    C           BUTTERMILK
  1 3/4 C           SIFTED FLOUR
  1 1/4 C           BROWN SUGAR
  1/2    t            SALT
  1       t            SODA
  1       C          CHOPPED NUTS

 Sift flower, salt and soda together and set aside,  Mash Bananas with a fork.   Beat eggs , oil, bananas, buttermilk, nuts and vanilla  together.  Add sifted dry ingredients to mixture and stir until well blended.  (I use a fork instead of a mixer,)

Preheat oven at 350 and bake 40 minutes to 1 hour. Stick a knife in the middle.  It should come out clean when done.

Beautiful Water

 

Jon and I had the privilege of  going to the Gulf of Mexico  this evening.  It was a little breezy and the waves were fairly high, but so gorgeous.

 We had dinner downtown Naples and stayed till dark to see the awesome lights on 5th Avenue.

What a great experience!!!

More beautiful pictures!

More beauty in Florida...I ask the owner if I could take pictures as their home is one of my favorite here in the park in Naples.  I look forward to start working in my flower gardens when we get home...oh yeah I just remember they are expecting 8 to 10 inches of snow today.  Guess I won't be gardening anytime real soon.  But, I can dream can't I ???????

And the winner is~~~

Last week's winner is

Olga

I will be sending Olga a badge for her web site and Terri will be sending her an Embossing Folder.

Great job Olga!!

 

A huge thanks to everyone who joined us for last week's challenge.

 

You can see Olga's beautiful card here!   

Olga did such a great job designing her card,  Don't miss it,

If you haven't left Olga a comment yet, please do so.  It is always nice to read how others enjoy our cards.

Challenge #4

REMINDER:  It's time to go vote for last week's winner!

Just click here!!!

 

I created this card in 2011 and I love the colors and the simplicity of it.  I used a Webster paper which had the butterflies on it.  So, using the 2nd sheet, I fussy cut the butterflies out and popped them up for dimension,  I added a peach flower that I created and doily to coordinate with the butterflies.  The sentiment is a JustRite stamp.

So, the challenge for this week is the following:

You can make 3 cards this week. 

 The winner will be chosen by a Random Drawing.

A badge will be sent to the winner and Terri at Joan's Gardens will be sending a butterfly die to the winner.

Here is what you need to do for this week's challenge!

•  Use a circle...perhaps a round doily

• Colors -Peach and Teal (blue green)
• Use Butterflies and layer them
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens.

Beautiful here!

 

We are in the most beautiful place for the month of March.  The landscaping is gorgeous. Everywhere I look there are stunning flowers and shrubby.  I love to see and hear the soft blowing of palm trees.

I know all of you up north can't wait to see some green grass.  We are now in a 1 bedroom park model in Crystal Lakes Park.  Jon loves it here too as there is so much to do.  The pool is beautiful.

We have been so blessed to be here this winter.

I will be taking some more pictures soon.

This Week's Challenge #3

 

I opened the embossing folder, inked my brayer and run it over the one side of the folder, making sure it was all inked.  Carefully place card stock on top of ink and close.  Run it through your 

die cutting machine and you will have beautiful colored embossing.

Products I used for this card:

Pine Spring - DIE021-N  Impression Obsession

Ornate Frame - 658949 - Sizzix

Flourish - LR051 - Marianne

Butterfly - 60030006 - Joy

Large Classic Oval - Spellbinders

Flowered Lattice Embossing Folder - 656979 - Sizzix

Silk Ribbon - May Arts

Stick Pen by Petaloo

Bow Easy

Neenah Cream Paper

Distressed Ink - Moss Green

Bazzill Card Stock

Sentiment stamp - unknown

The products I used are available from Terri at www.atjoansgardens.com

So, the challenge for this week is the following:

You can make 3 cards this week

• use an embossing folder (inking one side, but not required)
• Colors -Green and White
• Use an Oval
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens.

I am thrilled that Terri, at Joan's Gardens has offered to donate a Nellie Snellen New Embossing Folder for this weeks prize for the challenge winner. 

 Remember, you can enter 3 cards to be eligible.

You will have a chance to vote

The winner will receive a badge to put on your blog plus this beautiful embossing folder

You will have until next Monday, March 10 morning 6:00 AM EST to link your project.  Voting will start at 8:00 AM on March 8 and will end March 9 at 8:00 AM.

And the winner is~~~

Last week's winner is again

Theresa

I will be sending Theresa another badge for her web site.

Great job Theresa!!

 

A huge thanks to everyone who joined us for last week's challenge.

 

You can see Theresa's beautiful card here!  Her dogwood flowers are so beautiful.  Don't miss them.

If you haven't left Theresa a comment yet, please do so.  It is always nice to read how others enjoy our cards.

Please join us this week for our challenge.  Terri at Joan's Gardens will be giving a new Nellie Snellen Embossing Folder to the winner who has the most votes.

the challenge for this week is the following:

You can make 3 cards this week

 

• use an embossing folder (inking one side, but not required)
• Colors -Green and White
• Use an Oval
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens.

 

This week's Challenge #2

I am thrilled that Terri, at Joan's Gardens has offered to donate an Inkadinkado Stamp for this weeks prize for the challenge winner.  Remember, you can enter 3 cards to be eligible.

 Be sure tell all your friends to join us this week too!!!!!

Mihaela created a gorgeous card (you can see it here) that I fell in love with before I had the privilege of getting to know her.  She used tissue paper to make her flowers, which I didn't know at the time.  I used vellum, which gave it a total different look.  I have since starting making some flowers with tissue paper (with Mihaela's help) and I love the look.

I spritz the vellum until slightly damp and then used my embosser pen to make them curl some.

I used distress ink to color white tulle and put it over the paper as I loved the texture that Mihaela used.

Products I used to make this card.

Mesh Border - B254 Cheery Lynn

LR0133 Die  - Flowers - Marianne

CR1204 - Flowers - Marianne

HFC Sunburst paper 235 - Heartfelt Creation

Curl Frame Template - Crafter's Workshop

Vellum

Distressed ink - Ranger

The products I used are available from Terri at www.atjoansgardens.com

So, the challenge for this week is the following:

You can make 3 cards this week

• 3 flowers ....handmade or some you purchased
• Colors - Vintage
• something for texture, such as tulle or mesh
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens.

You will have a chance to vote

The winner will receive a badge to put on your blog and a beautiful Inkadinkado Stamp from Joan's Gardens.

You will have until next Monday, March 3 morning 6:00 AM EST to link your project.  Voting will start at 6:01 AM on March 3 and will end March 4 at 6:00 AM.

And the winners are!!!

We have a tie for last week's challenge. How exciting!!!

Last week's winners are

Theresa and Judy

I will be sending both of them a winning badge.

Great job to both of you!!!

 

A huge thanks to everyone who joined us for last week's challenge.

 

You can see Theresa's beautiful card here!  I love this lady and the beautiful design she created.

You can see Judy's beautiful card here!   I love her flowers, cats and lady.  Great job Judy!

If you haven't left them a comment yet, please do so.  It is always nice to read how others enjoy our cards.

Please join us this week for our challenge.  Terri at Joan's Gardens will be giving a new Inkadinkado Stamp to the winner who has the most votes.

the challenge for this week is the following:

You can make 3 cards this week

• 3 flowers ....handmade or some you purchased
• Colors - Vintage
• something for texture, such as tulle or mesh
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens. 

Challenge for this week

 

I miss seeing all of your challenge cards, so I thought I would offer up a challenge for this week. This will just be a fun thing since I am still in Florida, but remember you can purchase all the products that are still available from Terri at www.atjoansgardens.com

Be sure tell all your friends to join us this week too!!!!!

I am going to let you vote on your favorite card this week, so do your very best when making your card.

The winner will receive a badge to put on your blog.

You can make as many cards as you can this week!

Below is what you need to do for this week's challenge

• Use Pink and Black
• Bow
• Lady
• You must use a product sold at Joan's Gardens. 

You will have until next Monday, February 24 morning 6:00 AM EST to link your project.

Lunch

 

Today was a beautiful day!  Our friends, Jeff and Sherry Six, Jon and I went down town Fort Myers and had a great lunch sitting out on the street.  Then we spent time in the pool and played cards after that.

Great time!!!!!   We sure hate to see them leave on Thursday.