Froggy Frog JUMP So HIGH...

"Froggy Frog touch the sky!"

(and then you jump in the pool)

That is the chant the kiddos learned at swim school years ago.

After Ian and Daddy went back n forth over WHO was going to go off the diving board; Ian clearly just wanted to watch Daddy and wanted NO part of walking the white rectangle let alone bouncing off of it. It was time to make jumping into the pool fun!

"Come on Ian, let's start here on the side, you be a froggy."

He started with a noodle, but the security it provided wasn't necessary for long!

Soon Ian was making like Kermit!

He was having such a hopping good time the girlies could not resist getting in on the action too!

Showcasing frog stature, frogs mid jump, frog legs, and frog tongues...

it all had the mama frog hopping for her camera!

And then up in the studio paper piecing frogs

(not for eBay this time~ARTish Paper Piecings on eBay)

but to go with this week's Pixie Cottage Challenge #25

Here is the complete (very layered) layout I created to share our 'pond' with you...

The frogs will be entering these challenges:
Creative Inspirations - Paper Piecing
Digi Doodle Shop - Anything Goes
Sew Many Challenges - Anything Goes
Creative Craft Challenges - Stamp It Up

This is the Sketch Pam designed this week as part of the challenge.

You have the choice to use it and /or paper piece on your project.

Be sure to link back your new creations to
The Pixie Cottage Challenge #25 for a chance to win!!

I have highlighted the 3 portions of my layout where I included Pam's Sketch.

En lieu of the lower flower I have 3 designer made to match swim wear

Love You This Much FROGs by ARTish

Sienna....

Ian...

and Sierra...

(pink of course!)

Below the closeups of them catching flies I layered a ripple of watery beads...I added to the sleek feel of froggies using Glossy Accents...
So next time you go swimming why just walk in using the steps!?
Remember our little chant! ;)

It's sure to make you smile!


Have a wonderfully safe, fun and creative rest of the summer!
(stay tuned~ I have a feeling some little froggy is getting brave enough for the diving board!!)

Duct Tape, Dads & DANCE...

That about sums up our weekend!

This week at the The Pixie Cottage

our 24th challenge theme is "INSIDE /OUT" with the option to use the theme,

and/ or this week's sketch:

designed by the super talented guest sketch artist Jay Jay.

You may view all of the Outsides & the Insides

The Pixie Cottage Design Team created.

Here are a few more details on my oh so MANly card using the

DAD SAYS Digi Stamp by CreaSeans

For the vertical panels of the sketch I ran strips of authentic DUCT TAPE...

instead of the floral trio I filled in the top corner with metal letters: Dad

en lieu of the ribbon and bow I opted for ball-chain
and a dangling hammer...


The interior repeated the vertical stripes and encompasses a gift card holder



in the midst of the verbiage. Note the writing at the
top of the gift card is part of the 'sentiment'.





hidden in the pocket with the

"Phillips screw driver" brads on either side

is the gift of dinner options!

So what kind of card is on your agenda this week?
We can't wait to see your take on our sketch or the fabulous ins and outs!
Be sure to link back to The Pixie Cottage

We gave this card to Sean's dad.

So fitting as he is a contractor and probably

was the inspiring source behind this

MANmade Digi Stamp by CreaSeans

(he loved it)

***

The third aspect of this blog episode's title is "DANCE"

In our household dance and father's day weekend go hand in hand. Our year end recital is always the Saturday night preceding the day honoring Dads. This year it was showcased in a single show containing 53 numbers! Luckily for our family, between the 4 of us we were spaced throughout the show in 8 of them! Here are a handful of the 500 photos Sean took...

5,6,7,8...

Ian's tap: "You Ain't Never Had A Friend Like ME"

The girlies' jazz: "Boogie Shoes" ~Sierra front, Sienna back

My tap: "Ruby Blue"


Ian's ballet: "Austen's Song"



Ian's jazz: "My BOYfriend's Back"


The girlies' tap: "Bad"



Even though it was Jazz I got to dress like a ballerina...

"Ramalama"



I can't imagine life without dance.

How ironic that after my heart failed due to the pregnancy of the girlies ;

once they established I was not going to die,

they didn't hold out hope that I'd do much more than walk ever again.



A little mental altitude goes a long way!


The girlies' ballet: "This Little Light Of Mine..."


~I'm gonna let it shine...ALL the days of our lives!

Have a blessed day!

Feeling Patriotic?

What are YOUR colors??

Sporting the U.S.A.'s

RED, WHITE & BLUE

is digi SPARKLES by ARTish

available in the Pixie cottage Digi Shoppe

It's time for The Pixie Cottage--Challenge #23

...Make Mine Patriotic

(by showing us a creation with colors that represent your country's flag)

and or using this week's fun sketch by our very own Pam!

We can't wait to see all the colorful entries!

After you post on your blog be sure to link back to The Pixie Cottage--Challenge #23

for your chance to win!

I'm entering SPARKLES in the following challenges:

Paper Playtime - Flag Day (choose any combo of red, white and blue)
Daring Cardmakers - The World is Your Oyster
Crafty Ann's - Fly the Flag
Wee Memories - In Stitches
Alys - Stitching
Just Us Girls - Going Digital

************************************

STORY Time...

It is truly a wonder with all of the 'glass friends'

that live with us, such as Artemisia here...

that we haven't had more accidents involving glass vs. skin...

the glass wins!

The repeating thought reeling through my mind was...

"It could have been worse...we could have had only Barbie and Hello Kitty band-aids!"

~ at least leopard is IN!

(this was our morning at 4:45 as Mr. CreaSean was preparing to depart for the airport)

He is gone, but the skin from his thumb remains!

***********

On a Happier note...

I jumped for joy when I learned our Nazarene District's shirt color was BROWN~ woo-hoo!

(we all made matching flip-flops and barrettes)

The girlies attended their first Regional Bible Quiz this weekend in Oklahoma City...amazing what they have learned. They did awesome. I'm SO proud of them.


A reminder to all to enjoy the little things in life
whether it be waving a sparkler,
hopping around in crazy flip flops
(I just realized Sean could have worn a pair of those
and really showed how fashion conscience he is!)

Have a wonderful week!

Stamping~Not just for Women, anymore!

It's time to make a card...you've prepared your working area:

paper, ink pads, Copics, but you're hung up on the image,

or the lack of the Perfect one.

Sometimes the adorable furry critter or

the sweet as pie little girl are

just not right for the MAN in your life!

Half the population is MEN~

and they need cards too!

YOU need a MAN STAMP!

And now The Pixie Cottage

is THE place to get them!

What do they say..."It takes one to know one"!?

Well here you go...your first glimpse of the MAN behind the marker.

CreaSeans

proudly presents MANmade Stamps!
Images for men, designed by a MAN

available NOW at The Pixie Cottage Digital Collection.

This week The Pixie Cottage is hosting their

22nd Challenge featuring this sketch...

designed by Donalda from
Enjoying the Journey ,
and/or the theme: Father's Day.

Be sure to link back your NEW projects to The Pixie Cottage Challenge #22

after you've posted them on your blog

for a chance to win!

Good Luck!!!

What perfect timing for the debut of MANmade Stamps!

First up to make a big splash is the Fisherman by CreaSeans

coupled with the sketch here is my CreaSean , (oops) I mean "creation"!

inside...


This card is trying it's luck in these challenges...

The Shabby Tea Room - Just For Dad
Cards For Men - Fathers Day
Double Dutch - Fathers Day
Simple Doodles - Just for You Dad
One Stitch at a Time - Boys to Men
Creative Craft Challenges - For The Man in Your Life

Another saying comes to mind...
"The way to a Man's heart is through his stomach."
I think there's a theme going on...


When I spied the word 'BUCK' on these candy bars

it was like a rifle shot went off~ ding ding ding/ or BOOM...

they would be perfect to use with the image Big Buck by CreaSeans !

Can't you just see the bonding buds
hanging out by the campfire
passing around the craft supplies
in order to make these for group snack!?

Although if you want the truth from
my 8 year old Sweet Tooth Sierra..."they're not very tasty"

I guess you get what you pay for.
Go with a brand of chocolate you know!


Thus far I've worked under the premise of "Eat dessert first"...
Now it's time for real food...
or at least it would have been if the Grillman by CreaSeans hadn't burnt it !

No matter how high the flame,
remember to tell your MAN
" U. R. so HOT"

Husband Dear,

did you hear me!?

(that's right~ he's Mr. ARtish) :)

CONGRATS on your NEW line of MANmade Stamps for The Pixie Cottage !!!
It was SO much fun to create with them...
ah, what TEAM work!

Have a great week in Los Angeles. See you Friday.
the Lovely Wife

a.k.a.

A little birdy told me...

that The Pixie Cottage is hosting their 21st Challenge!

As always there is a choice...

you can utilize this week's sketch and

/ or incorporate METAL into your creation.

Link back your project to the
The Pixie Cottage for a chance to win!

The following is my take on the sketch

(mostly focused around the stamped image)

and a multitude of metal...

This layout is entered in the following challenges...

Clearly I Stamp - Flowers
Fun Two Stamp - Metal Accessories
Magical Crafts - Metal
Paper Play ChallengesUp in The Air

I rotated the sketch designed by Pam, used "clouds" en lieu of flowers,

and used the hidden brown mama bird as the tucked behind oval (now on the left)

rewinding back to a February email...this is the photograph that Miss Michelle sent me

Come see how I gave it my Artishtic touch:

Robin’s Nest Pixie Cottage Stamp

Sassafras pattern paper provided a great background...


Stamping on white was not "metallic enough"!
I found a piece of coppery paper...
My eggs are intended to be Cardinal eggs...creamy white with grey or brown speckles. Fun to create with a Sakura glaze white pen.





Nests lend themselves so well to 'wire twigs'...

Believe it or not; I still have metal embellishments left after my title/ journaling!

Remembering back almost 6 and 9 years ago when my babies first 'hatched',

and daily as I spend quality time with my trio I can't help but think,

"Oh the POSSIBILITIES!"

Overlapped scallops created an additional flock...
Furthering the thought of 'spread your wings and soar'... butterflies!
Paper pierced holes show their flight plan!



The lower right brad on the nest's mat is the only one of the 4
affixed to the layout...
creating the mechanics for a swiveling hide and seek
...there's the brown mama bird!


If you've followed my blog for a while or if you are new
to discovering The Pixie Cottage Stamp Collection
I'm sure you know I will love these 3 forever!!!


Go grab some metal and let your wheels spin.
Have a wonderfully blessed day!